Donlin, Caroline (Langel) 1908-2009

DONLIN, LANGEL, KUNKEL, BECKER

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/19/2009 at 18:27:52

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, October 19, 2009

Caroline (Langel) Donlin of Le Mars died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at Good Samaritan Society-Le Mars at the age of 101.

The former Caroline Elizabeth Kunkel was born July 13, 1908, on a farm near Oyens, the daughter of Frank and Clara (Becker) Kunkel. On Jan. 14, 1930, she married Theodore Langel, Jr. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars. To this union, four children were born. They farmed northwest of Oyens for a few years until her husband died Jan. 17, 1936, at which time she moved into Le Mars.

When her children reached an age that she could work she was employed for many years with various business places in Le Mars.

On May 5, 1952 Caroline and Lester Donlin were united in marriage at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars. They made their home on a farm east of Merrill for many years. Her husband Lester died March 4, 1972. Caroline moved back into Le Mars following his death.

Caroline was a longtime member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the church guild, the Christian Mother's Society and various card clubs.

She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed dancing, music and playing pinochle with her friends.

Survivors include her three children: Robert Langel and his wife Laura, Arlis Luedtke and Marlene Mousel and her husband Wayne, all of Le Mars; a daughter-in-law Donna (Jonas) Langel of Le Mars; 22 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Clara Kunkel; both of her husbands; a son Larry "Butch" Langel; a daughter-in-law, Lynn Langel; a son-in-law Wally Luedtke; three grandchildren: Julie Louise Luedtke, Ann Langel and Shawn (Langel) Keizer; a great-grandson James Mousel; four brothers: Arthur, Felix, Edward and Dale Kunkel; five sisters: Matilda (Kunkel) Mayrose, Agatha (Kunkel) Thill, Dorothy (Kunkel) Kneip, Mildred (Kunkel) Nuebel and Jeri (Kunkel) Wernli; and three sisters-in-law and five brothers-in-law.

A Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars with the Rev. Kevin Richter officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars.

Visitation was after 3 p.m. Sunday at the Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars, where there was a rosary by the Christian Mother's Society at 4 p.m. and a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m.

Pallbearers were Ted Langel, Ken Langel, Pat Langel, Jay Luedtke, Steve Mousel and Brad Mousel.