Bookkeeper, bill-payer, cook, human resources head, logistics coordinator, mental health coach, teacher, social coordinator, caring neighbor and parent, and community leader. That’s the short version the people nominating Mary Ann Kunde as a 2018 Master Farm Homemaker used to describe her contributions to her farm, family and community.

“She’s the glue that holds everything together,” says her husband, Gary. “She pays the bills and makes sure we’re all well fed, and she’ll drop everything to run for a part replacement, or to move equipment between farms. I don’t think people realize just how valuable that is in busy times on the farm.”

The Kundes raised three daughters — Bobbi, Sara and Stacey — on their 500-acre farm in Jackson County. They now operate 1,800 acres.

Mary Ann is most proud of the work she’s done to organize and carry out vacation Bible school for a week each year for about 40 children in the Andrew area.

She’s always recruiting people to help, especially to take on acting roles in the Bible story re-enactments she oversees.

“When I walk down the street, people see me coming and duck into doorways to hide,” Mary Ann jokes, “because they know I’m looking for volunteers for the skits. Gary even put on a wig and robe one year to play Moses. That was out of his comfort zone and it meant a lot to me that he would do that.”

Mary Ann’s girls often come back to help, too.

“It gives me a warm feeling when some of the kids will ask me when Bible school is going to be the next year,” Mary Ann says. “That says you might be making a difference.”
In that regard, Mary Ann and Gary made a difference in the life of a complete stranger when they hosted a foreign exchange student from Germany in 1995.

Together We Build
“Mary Ann and I first crossed paths years ago when I was a 4-H program assistant and she was supporting her daughters in 4-H,” says Judy Tonderum.

“She worked a number of years as a dispatcher in the county sheriff’s office, and learned to be calm, patient and precise. I believe that’s good in everyday living and helps her be a good leader in the community,” Tonderum says.

Tonderum serves with Mary Ann on a fundraising committee for the “Together We Build” campaign to build a new Extension Outreach building on the Jackson County fairgrounds.

“Mary Ann stepped forward to chair one of the first fundraisers,” Judy says. “She gathered friends and neighbors to make pie crusts and peel bushels of donated apples on several occasions, took orders from the general public, and organized pickup schedules for more than 460 pies that were sold to add a healthy sum to the building fund.”

“She’s a bundle of energy, a loving mother, grandmother and wife who is always ready to help others,” adds Wanda Cornelius, who has also worked on projects with Mary Ann.

Strong sense of community
Mary Ann is active in the Andrew Betterment Club and at Sacred Heart Church. She’s also served as the Richland Township secretary for more than 10 years and has managed the polls at elections for more than six years.

HELPING HAND: Mary Ann called on friends to help peel bushels of donated apples and make pie crusts, and then took orders and scheduled pickups for more than 460 ready-to-bake pies during the holiday season last year to raise money for a new Extension outreach center.Mary Ann volunteers at the Jackson County Fair, checking in open-class projects and helping the judge.

Last year, she was president of the Petal Pals Garden Club in Andrew. She’s a guest reader and craft planner at the Andrew library, and has occasionally been a guest reader at a preschool her daughter Sara owns and operates in Huxley.

Cottonville Farms legacy
Mary Ann is a sounding board for key decisions on the farm and has played a role in legacy planning for the next generation that will take over Cottonville Farms.

When Mary Ann’s three daughters indicated they wouldn’t be taking over the family farm, she and Gary sought out a young man who they could help give a start in farming.

The couple has been working with and mentoring Wes and Emily Hosch for the past 12 years, helping them prepare to carry forward the Cottonville Farm legacy. “Wes isn’t a hired man. He and Emily are our partners and are like family,” Mary Ann says. Wes and Emily share the feeling.

“Mary Ann is a very hardworking, honest, kind and caring woman, and I feel fortunate to know her and work beside her and Gary for the past 12 years,” Wes says. “We’re not related, but I feel like family.”

Betts writes from Johnston.