Kunkel, Mavis 1940-2004

KUNKEL, KLEIN, PLATHE

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/20/2009 at 15:27:10

REMSEN, Iowa -- Mavis Kunkel, 64, of Remsen died Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2004, at her residence following a lengthy illness with cancer.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen, with the Rev. Timothy Johnson officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. Thursday, with a St. Mary's Guild rosary at 3 p.m. and a vigil prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at Fisch Funeral Home in Remsen.

Mavis, the oldest of 16 children, was born April 12, 1940, in Le Mars, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer and Melinda (Plathe) Klein. She was raised in the Remsen area and received her education at St. Mary's Catholic School in Remsen, graduating in 1958.

On Aug. 25, 1958, she married Donald Kunkel in Remsen. They farmed south of town until Don retired in 1994 and they moved into Remsen. Don died Feb. 2, 1996. She used her talents to create cakes in the Remsen and surrounding area. She also worked at Hy-Vee Food Store in Le Mars, continuing her decorating abilities.

She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, St. Mary's Guild and the Ladies Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Her hobbies were the hallmark of her abilities. Her quilts, embroidery and cake decorating were works of art. She loved cooking, especially for her family and friends. Her grandchildren were a treasured part of her life.

Survivors include three sons, Keith and his wife, Jeanene, Mark and his wife, Doris and Glen, all of Remsen; three daughters and their husbands, Chris and Dave Heuertz of Remsen, Kelli and Leonard Flack and Tricia and Todd Plagman, all of Le Mars, Iowa; 17 grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; four brothers and spouses, Elmer and Jan Klein, Malcolm Klein, Alan and Loreli Klein and Chuck and Joan Klein, all of Remsen; eight sisters and spouses, Carol and Don Ruba, Susie and Al Vaske, Marilyn Treinen and Marlys Ohlendorf, all of Remsen, Nancy and Rick Loehr of Enid, Okla., Elaine and Fred Jungers of Sheldon, Iowa, and Alice and Norma Klein, both of Stafford, Texas; and three sisters-in-law, Marlene Klein of Remsen, Gerrianne Olson of Sioux City and Dorothy Kunkel of Remsen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Tom, Donald and Dennis Klein; two brothers-in-law, Richard Kunkel and Fred Treinen; a nephew, Bill Kunkel; and her special friend, Steve Roberts.

Pallbearers will be Jason, Ryan, Kent, Kyle and Eric Kunkel and Justin Heuertz. Honorary pallbearers will be Jared, Michelle, Mackenzie and Evan Kunkel, Ashley, Jodi and Michael Heuertz, Brittany and Mitchell Flack, Derek and Tanner Gesink and Desirae Plagman.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal
~Part of the Darrell E. Obituary Collection