Elfriede E. Kunze

Elfriede Elsa (Lesche) Kunze, of Meriden, CT, passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at the age of 91. She was born in Tettau, Germany on February 8, 1926 to Paul and Elsa (Noack) Lesche. She enjoyed life to its fullest; singing as a member of the Ladies Choral group at the Meriden Turner Society, plus dancing, swimming, gardening, and baking. She was also an active church member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church since 1957 and Meriden Turner Society since 1958. Her family and friends were special to her and she’ll be greatly missed. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Willy Fritz Kunze, as well as her parents. Her survivors include her two daughters, Christine Pfaff and husband Edwin “Ed” Pfaff of New Braunfels, Texas and Petra Kunze-Podgorski and husband William “Bill” Podgorski of Portland, Connecticut, as well as her two grandchildren, Alexander Podgorski of Portland, Connecticut and Anna Podgorski of Rochester, Minnesota. She also leaves behind a good friend, Albert “Al” Larese, of Meriden, with whom she shared many fond memories. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Elly (Lesche) Lode Canter, of Grossthiemig, Germany and many cousins, nieces, and nephews throughout Germany, as well as the States. She always enjoyed her vacation trips back to her motherland and truly loved this country that she called her homeland. Visitation will be held at Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden on Thursday, July 6, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A church service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 520 Paddock Ave., Meriden on Friday, July 7, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Gethsemane Cemetery. Donations in Elfriede's memory may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 520 Paddock Ave., Meriden, CT 06450.