Alta Ivern Kuntz was born to Henry Frank Kuntz and Ola Velma Friend-Kuntz on October 9, 1949 in Akron, Colorado. Jesus wrapped his loving arms around her and took her home on April 2, 2022 at Pensacola Hospital in Pensacola Florida. After birth her parents and big two year old brother Wayne Lynn welcomed her home 4 miles north of Wiladale, Colorado to the house they were in the process of building after the war.  They lived only a mile north of her maternal grandparents George and Elsa Friend who were delighted to have their first granddaughter.  Alta was named by her proud daddy.  Alta was baptized at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Otis, Colorado.  Two years later her father Henry lost his battle with brain cancer on November 8, 1951 so for the next few years she might be found playing dress-up, dollies, hanging out with her brother or her Granny or Gramps and their family who lived a mile away, riding a beet truck or going on other odd jobs with her mom. Eventually her mom ran the cafe in Anton, Colorado, she spent lots of time playing with kids around Anton. Alta went to 1st grade through the 5th grade in Anton Colorado. Her mom Ola married Alden Ray Willis in December of 1955 so they moved to a small farm north of Anton. Along came a baby sister, Kala Rae Willis in 1957. You might find Alta swimming in the crick, climbing trees with cousins, learning to play the clarinet, tap dancing lessons, acrobat lessons, reading the funny paper or playing with her brother or sister in this time of life.  She was described by many as the cute little girl with snappy eyes that melted everyone's heart.

The opportunity for a larger mail route came available so the family moved to Flagler, Colorado in July of 1960. There she started 6th grade at Flagler School. Alta was a free spirit, attractive and loved meeting new people.  She did cheerleading, was a baton twirler with the marching band, She was in Junior Legion Auxiliary which her parents were active in so she was a leader and officer, selling poppies and making crafts to sell by the group. She was a member of the Legion Auxiliary for the rest of her life. She was confirmed into the Lutheran Church in Flagler. You might find her boating, playing softball, playing with kids in the neighborhood, running a paper route, cleaning house, organizing play dates or fun things to do during these years.  She stayed with her grandparents in the summers some in high school years and worked at Glen Echo Resort in the mountains as a waitress and cleaning cabins. This was a highlight getting to hang out with her beloved Granny and Gramps to build memories she loved to share.

Alta graduated early from Flagler High School in the class of 1967 and attended Colorado Women's Business College in Denver.  There she met William Vance and was married.  They lived in the Denver area, Hawaii, Oregon, and Northglenn Colorado. In that union two beautiful girls were born. Diane Rae in 1972 and Toni Lynn in 1975.  She loved flowers, making her house beautiful and was never afraid or waivered from remodeling when it was needed.  She had a gift of making things look nice and organized with a small budget.  After her divorce she worked as a bookkeeper and office manager for Lynch Materials in Denver.  She enjoyed this job and the people there. She was a successful and a loyal employee.

In 1980 she married Terry Goodwin who was a neighbor and classmate in Flagler and they resided in Stratton Colorado. He adopted Diane Rae Goodwin and Toni Lynn Goodwin and they were quick to call him their forever dad.   She sold office supplies in the early 80's around eastern Colorado so connected with a lot of people. They raised their daughters and followed their impressive sports activities.  In this time of life she enjoyed boating and camping at Bonnie Dam, remodeling their home, baby sitting, and managing a convenience store.  She was busy but did find time to read which she enjoyed.

She moved back to the Denver area in 1993 where she worked for Terminix.  She was good at that job and the owners appreciated her dedication.  She then met Harvey Story, a wonderful Christian man, who showed her love and respect.  They began a wonderful marriage in 1995 that took them to Kingston Tennessee and Panama City Florida. As she became a grandma Alta enjoyed having each grand kid spend time with her.  Because of Harv's job as a nuclear engineer she enjoyed traveling to many places.  She enjoyed seeing new places and learning history there.  Her knowledge of plants, where they thrived and how to grow them was remarkable. While in Tennessee she helped her daughter, Toni, and son-in law, Joe, in their construction business working on houses. She and Harv built a dream home from scratch in Tennessee which she poured herself into. They retired to a home in Florida and enjoyed living the life she always dreamed of. She loved the beach and took long walks on the beach whenever she could.  The home they lived in was the home she enjoyed remodeling and setting up for their retirement home. Alta had a strong desire to help people in need.  She cared for a friend who had cancer in her own home, her mother, Ola, at 85 years old stayed with her and Harv for 21 months and after the hurricane hit Panama City she opened her house to her neighbors, whose house was damaged.  She also enjoyed hosting vacationing family and friends and showing them the sites in Panama City. Her generosity, lively personality and active self will be missed.

Luckily her daughter, Diane, and son-in-law, Mike, moved to Pensacola Florida in January 2022 to be close to her. In February of 2022 she began her fight with lung cancer and Diane and her family held her close till God took her home on April 2, 2022.  Preceded in death were her husband Harvey Story, father Henry Kuntz, mother Ola Willis, step dad Alden Willis, brother-Wayne Kuntz, beloved grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. Left to mourn her are her daughters Diane Boling and husband Mike of Pensacola Florida, Toni Haba and husband Joe of Kingston Tennessee, Grandchildren- Logan Pautler, Noel (Jordan) Pugh, Jordan (Aaron)Wilson, Tyler Boling (Taylor Hermosillo), Zach Boling, Collin Haba, MacKenzie Haba, Great grandchildren Corbin Pautler, Lane Pautler, Brinley Wilson, Kason Wilson, Gentry Wilson, Five Story step daughters, many Story step grandchildren-great grandchildren, sister Kala Doane and husband Terry of Anton Colorado, sister in law Belinda Kuntz of Enterprise Oregon. Aunt Norma Heany and husband Marv of Littleton Colorado, Uncle Arnold Friend of Aurora Missouri. She will be missed by a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends. A small celebration is being planned in Panama City Florida at her home and on the beach.

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Psalms 62:1