Charles A Kuensting, 88, of Jefferson City, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2016, with family by his side. He was born on May 6, 1928, in Vienna, Missouri, the son of William A. Kuensting and Gertrude Schwartze Kuensting. Charles was raised on a farm off of Ball Park Road, over the swinging bridge, right by the Maries River. He was proud of being raised in Maries County, where his family lived for many generations. He was also proud of his family's German heritage. He attended school at Visitation Catholic School and Church in Vienna, Missouri. He was married on June 9, 1951, to Mary Elizabeth Brandt in Linn, Missouri. He served in the United States Army as a Sergeant in the motor pool during the Korean Conflict. He served three straight tours in Korea, with no leave, before returning home to his bride and newly born son. Charles was a certified Master Mechanic. He began his forty year automotive career at Shikles Motors. He also worked for Knipp Motors, Schanzmeyer Ford Lincoln Mercury, Capitol City Ford Lincoln Mercury and Kehoe Ford Lincoln Mercury in Jefferson City. Charles was a member of St. Peter Parish, American Legion Post 5, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Brazito-Honey Creek Lions Club. He was awarded the Missouri State Society DAR Patriot of the Month for September 2016. He was also featured in the News-Tribune series recognizing veterans. On his 85th birthday, Charles participated in the Honor Flight to Washington, DC. His love for fishing and hunting as well as his work ethic were legacies that Charles passed on to his children. Charles did not know a stranger. He was always interested to find out where a person was from and who their parents were. Dad was known for his love of "cow salve." His children recall his favorite saying as "Don't let the sun shine on your butt," as he was an early riser. He was known for saving every screw or bolt he ever found because "you never know when you might need it." He enjoyed meeting friends at McDonald's for a sausage biscuit and was honored as "Customer of the Month" at the McDonalds on Jefferson Street. Charles's joy in life was his beautiful wife Mary and their seven children. Charles had four sons, Charles J. (Mariam), Bill (Brenda), Gary (Kelley), and Joe (Denise) Kuensting, all of Jefferson City, Missouri; three daughters, Donna Prenger of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Carol (Steve ) Lochhead of Jefferson City; and Jeanne (Tim) Hull of Liberty, Missouri; 12 grandchildren, Matthew (Andrea) Kuensting, Joshua Kuensting, Jessie (Chad) Vocks, Suzie Kuensting, Cole (Elizabeth) Prenger, Bret Prenger (friend Caitlin Warrick), Christina Binkley, Jon (Kali) Binkley, Sierra Binkley, Joey Kuensting, Garrett Hull and McKenzie Hull; 9 great-grandchildren, Cora and Sam Kuensting, Cameron Vocks, Mick Prenger, Brock and Abigail Suthoff, Harper, Elliette, and Cohen Binkley. Charles was preceded in death by his wife Mary Elizabeth Kuensting; his brother, Francis H. Kuensting; his sister-in-law, Agnes Schmidt Kuensting; his step-sister, Virginia Lieweke Verhoff; his brother-in-law, Clarence Verhoff; his parents, William and Gertrude Schwartze Kuensting; his son-in-law, Michael W. (Mick) Prenger; and his friend and uncle, Vincent (Dudley) Schwartze. Visitation will be 2-5 p.m. Sunday, September 25, 2016, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 1:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday, September 26, 2016, at St. Peter Catholic Church with the Rev. Simeon A. Etonu officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter Catholic Church, 216 Broadway Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101; or to the Samaritan Center, 1310 East McCarty Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.