Vilda Dustin Kunz

Vilda was the youngest daughter of Hyrum Nephi Dustin and Rebecca Malinda Stephens Dustin. She was born April 10, 1891, in Garden City, Rich, Utah. She married Ezra Louie Kunz, September 29, 1910, in the Logan LDS Temple and they had eight children. In the 1900 U.S. Federal Census the family was listed as: Nephi H., 44, Rebecca M., 41, Vilda, 9, and siblings Hyrum A., 23, Seth C., 20, James C., 17, Hannah R., 14, Julia Alnora, 10. Her parents had been married for 25 years and they had 7 children, 6 of whom were living. Hyrum Nephi was working as a farmer and he owned his own farm free from a mortgage. His two oldest sons, Hyrum and Seth, were working as farm laborers on the family farm. Sadly, just two years later, Vilda's mother, Rebecca Malilnda Stephens Dustin, passed away at the young age of 44 in 1902 when Vilda was only 11 years old.

By 1910, the family was listed in the census as follows: Hyrum N., 54, Hyrum A., 33, James L, 27, Vilda, 19, Hannah R. Dustin Hall, 23, Earl Shakespere Hall, 36, Elizabeth M. Hall, 3, and Luella Hall, 1 year, 5 months old. Vilda's sister, Hannah had married Earl S. Hall in 1906, and they had two daughters living with them at the time of the census. Hyrum was still farming, Vilda's brothers Hyrum A., and James were working as laborers doing odd jobs, and Earl Hall was a sheep herder.

That fall, Vilda married Ezra Louie Kunz, who was born August 14, 1887, in Bern, Bear Lake, Idaho. He was the son of David and Louise Maria Jakob Kunz, who were born in Switzerland. Vilda and Ezra had met at he Fielding Academy in Paris, Idaho, after Ezra returned from LDS missionary work in Switzerland.

A U.S. Passport Application for Ezra dated September 29, 1906, indicated he was going on a mission for three years. The application indicated he was 19 years old, 5'-8" tall, with a high forehead, blue eyes, straight nose, medium mouth, a rather pointed chin, medium hair, light complexion and a medium long face. Ezra returned to the United States via Quebec, Canada, and the border crossing record for him stated he was a 21-year old missionary, returning from Liverpool, England, on the ship Megantic, arriving on July 29, 1909.

In the 1910 U.S. Federal Census, Ezra was living with his parents and siblings in Bern, Bear Lake, Idaho, and they were listed there as: David, 54, Louisa M., 53, Ezra L., 22, Matilda, 20, Hyrum S., 18, Orlando N., 17, Lucy N., 15, Fayette T., 14, Iris G., 10, and Oliver, 7. David and Louisa had been married 32 years and had 11 children, 9 of whom were still living. David had come to America from Switzerland in 1870 and was naturalized, and Louisa had arrived in 1862. David was working as a farmer, Ezra as a laborer working at odd jobs, as was his brother, Hyrum, and Orlando was working as a farm laborer on the home farm. David owned his own farm free from a mortgage.

When Ezra completed his U.S. World War I Draft Registration Card on June 5, 1917, he described himself as being of medium height with a stout build, blue eyes and light brown hair. He was 29 years old, was living in Bern, Idaho, with his wife, Vilda and 3 children, working as a farmer.

By the 1920 U.S. Federal Census for Thomas, Bingham, Idaho, they were listed as follows: Ezra L., 32, Vilda, 28, Ivan D., 8, Thekla, 6, Herbert G., 4 years 2 months old, and Bernice who was not even a month old. The date of the census was January 12th and 13th. Ezra was working as a farmer.

By the 1930 U.S. Federal Census they were living on 4th West in Sandy, Salt Lake, Utah, and were listed as follows: Ezra L., 42, Vilda, 38, Ivan D., 18, Thekla, 16, Herbert L., 14, Everett A., 12, Bernice, 10, David N., 8, Loyal G., 4 years, 2 months old, and Martin, 3 months old. They were renting their home, had been married for 19 years, and Ezra was working as a farmer. The following year, Vilda's father, Hyrum Nephi Dustin, passed away at the age of 75 on July 31, 1931, in Garden City, Utah. He was buried with his wife, Rebecca, in the Garden City Cemetery. According to Ezra's obituary on Find A Grave.com, he raised sugar beets and ran a small dairy and traveled to Salt Lake city to deliver his milk.

By 1940, they were living in a home located at 207 5th East a home they owned which was valued at $1,900. Listed in the census record were: Ezra L., 52, Vilda, 49, Thekla, 26, Herbert, 24, Everett, 22, Loyal, 24, and Martin E., 10. Ezra was working as a farm laborer, Thekla as a seamstress, Herbert as a carpenter, and Everett as a sales desk clerk in a retail store. For the 25 weeks Ezra worked in 1939, his income was $300.00 and for the 42 weeks Thekla worked at 40 hours per week her income was $475.00, and for the 52 weeks Everett worked at 42 hours per week his income was $905.00. Ezra had an 8th grade education, Velda had 1 year of high school, Thelda, Herbert and Everett had 4 years of high school, and Loyal had a 7th grade education.

Per a 1942 U.S. City Directory, Vilda and Ezra were still living at their home on 5th East in Sandy, Utah, but by 1957 they were living at 560 East 2nd Street in Sandy. It appears they may have lived in Sandy for the rest of their lives, because according to Vilda's obituary shown below, both she and Ezra were buried in Sandy, Utah. Ezra passed away the year before Vilda, on December 29, 1985, at the age of 98 years old. They had celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary three months before his death.

Obituary Courtesy of the Deseret News 09/28/1986

Obituary of Vilda D. Kunz: Sandy, Utah--Vilda Dustin Kunz, 95, died September 26, 1986, in Murray, Utah. She was born April 10, 1891, in Garden City to Hyrum Nephi and Rebecca Melinda Stevens Dustin. Vilda married Ezra Louie Kunz, September 29, 1910, in the Logan LDS Temple. He preceded her in death December 29, 1985.

She was very active in the LDS church including genealogy, Primary and Relief Society. She is survived by sons and daughters, Ivan D., Herbert L., Marlon E., Mrs. Lawrence (Bernice) Nelson, all Sandy; Mrs. Earl (Thekla) Walk, West Valley; Everett A., Murray; Loyal E. Phoenix, Arizona; 37 grandchildren; 129 great grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by one son, David N.

Funeral service Monday, September 29, noon, Sandy 21st Ward, 8950 So. 400 East. Friends may call Sunday, 7-8 p.m. at Goff Mortuary, 8090 So. State, and Monday at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment, Sandy City Cemetery.