Jan Kunselman was born September 12, 1939, in Currie, Minnesota to Clarence and Martha Peters Leas. Jan spent her childhood in Currie and on a farm west of Slayton, MN. She attended elementary school in Currie and country school near Slayton prior to graduating from Slayton High School in 1957. After graduation she worked for Buckles Variety and the telephone company. On June 7, 1963, she married Alvin Ray Kunselman in Currie. Al’s military career had them calling all parts of the United States home. They returned to Slayton in 1977 after Al’s retirement from the United States Air Force after 25 years. Jan began working in retail in 1980, working at Ben Franklin, Fremstad’s and Henry’s Hometown Variety until it closed. Jan also worked at Sunrise Terrace with activities. Prior to Al’s death in 1999 they were able to travel visiting family and friends and spent countless hours with their grandchildren. Jan became a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 64 of Slayton in 2008. She was very active in the Unit and served as membership chairman for eleven years and treasurer for several years. She was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton. Jan became involved in Relay for Life in Murray County in 1997 and was affiliated with a team every year. Her commitment and compassion for Relay for Life came from being a cancer survivor and having several family and friends affected by the disease. Before Memorial Day Jan and her sister’s placed over 100 bouquets of flowers on neglected or forgotten graves at local cemeteries. Before the Christmas season they would visit nursing homes with containers of candy for each resident and delivered baskets of fruit and cookies to several individuals in the area. These two projects for the community began in 1977. In 1992 Jan and her sisters were honored by KARE 11 television and received the Jefferson Award for their volunteer work and commitment to area communities. Jan enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In 2025 Jan moved to the Good Samaritan Society Westbrook where she passed peacefully on Monday, August 3, 2026, with her sister, Sharon by her side.
Survivors include her two children, Tim and Joan Kunselman of Slayton, MN, and Tonya and Jesse Poulson of Avoca, MN, 12 grandchildren, 16 greatgrandchildren, one sister, Sharon McClure of Garvin, MN, and several nieces and nephews and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Al, two sisters, three brothers-in-law, one niece and three nephews.
Memorial Services were at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Peter Schuster officiating. The organist was Sharon Lais. The song leader was Sheila Crowley with special music by Heidi Winter. Interment is at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Avoca, MN.
Visitation was one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
