Kounkel, Ralph Michael 1916-2006

KOUNKEL, MATHWIG, ANDERSEN, ANDERSON

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/24/2009 at 15:38:20

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, November 22, 2006

Ralph Michael Kounkel, 90, of rural Le Mars, died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars, Iowa.

Ralph M. Kounkel was born Aug. 2, 1916, on the family farm in Plymouth County, Iowa, the son of John and Ida (Mathwig) Kounkel. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at Trinity Lutheran Church at Hinton. He attended country school at Neptune, just south of Le Mars. He was united in marriage to Mildred C. Anderson at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Mapleton on July 1, 1950. They farmed on the family homestead near Neptune for many years. Ralph also did well work for many years. Ralph was still helping on the farm up until his death.

He was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church near Hinton. He and his brother, Walt, were very instrumental in the building of the church, helping with many of the details. Ralph was in charge for many years of the heating system. He enjoyed coyote and fox hunting, and fishing with his brothers. Ralph's passion in life was farming and his black Angus cattle. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of more than 56 years, Mildred of rural Le Mars; a son, Robert Kounkel and his wife, Sheila of rural Le Mars; three grandchildren, Brad Kounkel of Denver, Colo., Jayson Thompsen of Denver, Colo., and Amy Reoh and her husband, Lee of Gretna, Neb.; two great-grandchildren, Jacob Thompsen and Carleigh Reoh; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son in infancy, Mark Douglas Kounkel, four brothers, Roy, Walter, Laurence, and Fred; and two sisters, Agnes Richards and Viola Robinson

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hinton, with the Rev. David Kottlowski officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be after 4 p.m. today (Friday), with the family present after 6 p.m., and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., all at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the services on Saturday at the church.

Casketbearers will be Brad Kounkel, Jayson Thompsen, Lee Reoh, Richard Ayres, Dan Robinson, Fred Robinson, and Blaine Kounkel. Honorary casketbearers will be Jacob Thompsen, Amy Reoh, and Carleigh Reoh.

Memorials may be made in Ralph's name to Hospice of Siouxland or Trinity Lutheran Church.

Transcriber's Note: Wife Mildred's maiden name is spelled ANDERSEN in her obituary.