Elaine Dorothy Kunzle

Elaine Dorothy Kunzle (née Clemmons) March 5, 1938 - September 25, 2026

Elaine Dorothy Kunzle (née Clemmons) was born on Saturday, March 5, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from Midwood High School in 1955 and, while still a student, began her career at New York Life as an executive secretary.

At New York Life, Elaine began in the file room, where she sometimes had to climb ladders to retrieve files. She was especially skilled at shorthand, taking dictation faster than her colleagues, a talent that soon earned her a promotion to the executive floor. Elaine remained proud of her years at New York Life throughout her life, speaking often of traveling across New York City to and from the office while still a teenager.

It was through her close friend from school, Betty Kunzle, that Elaine met Betty's brother - and her future husband - Daniel B. Kunzle of Brooklyn, while he was home on leave from the Army. While Daniel was stationed in Korea, Elaine dedicated the song "Unchained Melody" to him on Armed Forces Radio. By chance, Daniel was listening and heard the dedication.

Daniel returned home in 1956, and the two were married on January 25, 1959. Three years later, they welcomed their first child. Elaine and Daniel went on to raise their three children in Ringwood, New Jersey, where Elaine built a life centered on her family and became an active and devoted member of her community.

For 27 years, Elaine was a member of the Ringwood Ambulance Corps Auxiliary, dedicating her time to raising funds to support the volunteer ambulance corps. She also treasured being part of the Erskine Lakes community, where she made many lifelong friendships. So many of those friends became like family to Elaine and to all of us.

After raising her children, Elaine returned to the workforce in retail. She worked at Sealfons Department Store in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where she found great success running the Little Girls' Moppet Department. During her time there, she even had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Pat Nixon on several occasions. She later continued her retail career at The Children's Place in Paramus.

Above all, Elaine was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and cherished the people in her life. Even toward the end, when her day-to-day memory began to fade, she continued to share loving memories of her family and friends and the stories we will forever cherish.

She is survived by her children, Donna L. Kelso and her husband, Blake; Laurie J. Kunzle and her partner, Katie Telschow; and Douglas D. Kunzle and his wife, Sandra. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Garrett Kelso, Colbi Kelso, Owen Kunzle, Aidan Kunzle, and Emmet Kunzle, as well as nieces and grandnieces in Florida and a plethora of relatives from the extended Clemmons, Kunzle, DeGennaro, Locovare and Warwick families.

Elaine was predeceased by her beloved husband, Daniel B. Kunzle; her sister, Diane Fischer; and her parents, James Edward Clemmons and Ida Clemmons (née DeGennaro).

Elaine leaves behind a lifetime of stories, friendships, laughter, and love. She will be remembered for the countless ways she cared for the people around her, for the community she served, and for the family she loved so deeply.

And, of course, we will always remember one very important detail:

She had the long legs and the short body.

And we will forever follow the "Elaine Kunzle Rule"

Bring a jacket with you. Always!

She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Visitation will be on Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 4-7pm at Oakland Memorial Home, 330 Ramapo Valley Rd, Oakland, NJ 07436, with a service beginning at 6:30pm.

Donations, in her memory, can be made to the Ringwood Ambulance Auxiliary, PO BOX 421, Ringwood, NJ 07456 or directly on their website at www.raauxiliary.org Click the Donate button.