Melissa Eve-Marie Kunde

Melissa Eve-Marie Kunde

July 23, 1952 - September 09, 2025

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Obituary

Melissa Eve-Marie Kunde, 73, journeyed from this life on September 9, 2025.  She passed peacefully after an illness, finally as comfortable in her life as she ultimately was in her death.


Born in Milwaukee, WI, Melissa (she/her) was the first child of Don and Norma Kunde. She loved and leaves behind an immediate family that includes four children; four grandchildren; and two siblings.  She also has a growing extended family across the state and country, some members with whom she has remained connected in recent years and all of whom she also loved despite differences in life perspective and beliefs.


As a Renaissance Soul, Melissa journeyed across both the for-profit and nonprofit worlds in very nonlinear ways.  Graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in environmental journalism, her greatest career joy was exercising her writing and editing skills, or meeting the needs of other people in simple ways. In her later years, her passions for justice issues - especially climate justice and LGBTQ+ equality - fueled her activity.  That paralleled the growth of her progressive Christian faith, and a satisfying life of authenticity.


At some time in the future, Melissa’s ashes will be spread in some natural environment. This is consistent with her earlier studies in forestry, and her later passion for the environment and climate justice.


Melissa has encouraged donations in her name to Transmission Ministry Collective, an organization with which she served as a volunteer leader from 2020 to 2022, and through which she experienced immense support and comfort during the COVID-19 pandemic.  She also passionately supported - and encouraged other community support of - the Verona Public Library, the independent Kismet Bookstore in Verona and Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb

Funeral & Cremation Care

500 N. Eighth St.

(608) 437-5077



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Melissa
AK
A Memorial Tree was planted for Melissa Eve-Marie Kunde
Other •
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson-Camacho Funeral Home – Mt. Horeb
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Tyler
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I have many fond memories of times spent with Melissa while spending time with my cousins. She took me (along with my cousin) to my first ever baseball game at county stadium where we watched Cal Ripken play the Brewers- her love of Bob Uecker and the Brewers is something I'll never forget. She had an awesome sense of humor- always one of the first suspects at family get togethers when a prank was pulled. I remember late night, Christmas break, movie marathons where her and my uncle shared a joy for original Bond films, the Great Escape, and The Sting- movies that have become some of my favorites that I might never have watched without their presence. Melissa was a beautiful soul that left a mark on anyone she met. I love her and will miss her, but an happy she found the peace she sought.
MM
Margy Murray
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"The lamps are different, but the Light is the same. One matter, one energy, one Light, one Light-mind, endlessly emanating all things." -Rumi Melissa was a giver of both Light and Love and I feel privileged to have known her and learned from her.
RK
Rye Kimmett
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You spread color and sweetness wherever you went and we're all better for having known you. Rest well, honey bee.
HH
Heidi Hanson
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I had the pleasure to meet Melissa at Moka. Cannot express enough what a positive & happy human being she was. Loved her vivacious personality & welcoming hello. Very sad to read about her passing. Moka & the world just loss a wonderful soul. She’ll be missed immensely 💕 Heidi
BB
Bob B
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For Melissa (A poem by Anita Brown in collaboration with Melissa) Fly honey bee away from the collection Of identities bound by pins of family tradition Imposed by those unable to be free From the darkness that surrounds them You are free to fly to fields of new flowers Dancing on the winds of change and life Feel the sun of creative love Warm your heart which carries The burden of sadness and grief Of loss and rejection Fly honey bee into joyful flight Soaring high above the nets of guilt Used by those to pull you down Into the bonds of convention You share in the Divine’s own worldly story Of rejection and shame imposed on the glory That the Divine brought as a gift That now flows through you The stream of creative waters Let them flow unimpeded into your world Fly honey bee into new identity A new name given not to bind you But as a Divine gift to guide you Finding those who are able to see The beauty God is creating In unending dance with the waters of Tehom Swirling up a new tendril in the vine Filling it with life and meaning Rejoice in who you are! And hope for family’s future embrace. Fly honey bee into the future See the windows open into the lives of others Sharing their pain and journey Freeing their binding by the pins of convention Inspiring those whose journey is just beginning Feel God’s fierce love sweep through you Hear the Divine “Let there” call to you To respond with the waters of chaos and uncertainty With life lived in God’s embrace.

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