STUNZ, Irene

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 08/10/2004 Irene Stunz, 94, died July 23, 2004. She was one of 11 children born to the Sunquist/Leppala union in the heart of the Minnesota Mesabi iron range. She was the youngest student chosen for the development of the famous Stanford Binet Intelligence test when she was a student in Virginia, Minnesota. She taught school for five years before her marriage to Babe Stunz. During their marriage she would become actively involved in many of her husband's enterprises: sawmills and lumber companies, gold mining, warehouses, motels, a casino in Lake Tahoe, government housing, machine shop and foundry, experimental farming, and many other ventures. They traveled extensively throughout the world. She was active in Girl Scouts, Methodist Church, PTA and other groups. She and her husband attracted an extraordinary diverse group of friends of all ages. By the time of her death she had resided in over 50 homes. Her love of reading continued to her last days and her broad background in history and Latin maintained her interest in current events and world history. She many times exclaimed what a wonderful life she had had. She lived primarily the last ten years with her daughter Adrienne Lapella, owner of Pary Rent Shop, in Lakeside. Other survivors include daughters Thomasina in Washington, DC and Aina in San Francisco; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her optimism and cheerfulness to her very last days is reflected by the little song with which she greeted each day which she had taught to her students 74 years ago. Her great-grandson is now greeted with this same little tune each morning. Another old-time son was sung at her grave side service: Good night, Irene. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to your local library, or purchase a book to read with your child, grandchild, or disadvantaged youth.