"Remembering Aunt Fauniel's wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts. May you find comfort in the love surrounding you, courage to face the days ahead and happy memories to hold close to you always.
Sending love and big hugs..."
In loving memory of
Fauniel 'Faun' Kautz
December 3, 1927 - October 6, 2016
FAUNIEL KAUTZ
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Fauniel 'Faun' Kautz, 88, of Davenport, passed away on October 6, 2016, at her home in Senior Star Assisted Living.
Private Graveside Service will be held in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Faith United Church of Christ. There will be no visitation. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Faun was born on December 3, 1927, the daughter of Leonard B. and Inez S. Starks Thomas. She married Norman Kautz on June 6, 1948, in Muscatine.
The family would like to thank the staff at Senior Star for their care and devotion to our mother.
Those left to honor her memory include one daughter, Kristine Sullivan of Guilford, Connecticut; two sons, Peter Kautz of Bettendorf, and Jack Kautz and wife, Debbie, of Wellington, Florida; six grandchildren, Jesse Kautz and wife, Brandi, Adam Kautz, Sam Kautz, Hannah Kautz, Garrett Sullivan and wife, Maggie, and Christian Kautz; four great-grandchildren, Savannah Kautz, Harper Sullivan, and Max and Miranda Suarez; and one sister-in-law, Deorseal 'Dee' Thomas of Bloomington, Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Norm, of 47 years. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Inez Thomas; her sisters, Beverly Stobbart, Eleanor Edwards, Joan Grimm, and LeAnn Thomas in infancy; and her brothers, Keith and Ken Thomas.
Tributes
"Kristine, Peter, Jack, and families, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved mother. Faun was one of the first people to befriend my father, Jack Bruchmann, when he moved into Senior Star. She was unfailingly kind, gracious, and elegant in her manner and attire. No matter how Dad was feeling, she could nearly always make him smile. One of my favorite memories of your mother was what she said to him his first Sunday at Senior Star, as he was grousing about wanting to go home. She patted him gently on the hand and told him, "Of course home is better, but since we can't be at home, this is the next best place. It's beautiful, and they take very good care of everyone here." It was almost magical how that simple comment changed Dad's attitude. Once, she invited us to come to her apartment after Sunday brunch to see what she called "my birds". Dad and I spent a delightful half hour watching wildlife -- both birds and rabbits -- at the feeders you installed for her. When Dad landed in the hospital 2 years ago, I asked your mother if she would be willing to record a brief video greeting that I could play for Dad. She wasn't at all sure how it would work, but gamely said she'd try. The result was a typically kind, sweet message, saying she hoped that he was recovering well, that they missed him at mealtimes, and ending with a little joke about what was on the menu that day. It was the first time I had seen Dad smile in nearly two weeks. I pray that all of you feel God's peace and comfort now and in the coming months. Thank you for sharing your beautiful mother with us. She truly made a difference."