Roy Lee Kofal

Roy “BUNK” Kofal was born on January 1, 1939 in Superior Wisconsin to Mildred and John Kofal. He passed away peacefully Sunday, October 15th, 2023 at Aspen Acres Memory Care and Assisted Living Center in Hayward.

Bunk was raised in Gordon, Wisconsin shooting game and catching fish out of season with his younger brothers Ed (Deb) and Ron (Bev) Kofal, and sister, Helen Motyka. They were busy farming and spearing at the fishing hole.

Bunk gave college a try for a few weeks, until duck season, then threw in the towel. He became a builder and settled in the north country.

A couple years later he met the love of his life, VaLois Gunderson. They were married in September of 1961. Bunk was called immediately to active duty in the National Guard Army Reserve 724 out of Hayward, so they moved to Tacoma, Washington.

Upon their return to the Grand View/Namakagon area,  Bunk built their favorite place to spend time, The Huntin’ Shack in Gordon. Bunk was a community minded person, always volunteering in his small town area, where they started their family.  

Bunk and VaLois had two daughters, Tara (Ed VonThoma) and Kari (Mike Runnheim.) He never missed a sporting event and taught the girls that there is nothing they couldn’t do, naming his construction company Bunk’s Builders and Daughters!

Then came the absolute highlight of his life~the grandkids! Dane, Alexis, Cole and Andrew. The next 26 years were spent teaching the grandkids the joys of fishing, hunting, four wheeling, swearing, under-age driving, and copper-mine crawling. He loved his family unconditionally and never missed a chance to be near them. As a bonus, another daughter, Mary Doll, with grandkids Katherine, Christian, Cassidy, Hudson and Ivar came into their  lives. 

Bunk will be dearly missed by his whole family, but especially by his loving wife of 62 years, VaLois.

A memorial service will be held at Lakewoods on Lake Namakagon on Saturday, October 21st.

Respects can be paid to the family from 11:00-12:30, after which there will be a veteran’s salute to Bunk. From 1-3 a luncheon will be served, with stories told by all who wish to share.

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