Irene Kunkel

Irene Caroline Kunkel, 91, of North Mankato, died Friday, August 4, 2017 at Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato surrounded by family.

Memorial service will be held 11:00am, Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in North Mankato. Visitation will take place from 9:00am until the time of service.  She will be laid to rest at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Rapidan. The family prefers memorials be given to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or School. Northview-North Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family.

Irene was born November 12, 1925 to Herman and Anna (Sternitske) Bartsch in rural Good Thunder.  Irene was baptized and confirmed at St.John’s Lutheran Church in Rapidan.  She graduated from Rapidan High School in 1944 and was united in marriage to Raymond Kunkel on December 1, 1946 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rapidan. Together they farmed on the Kunkel family farm.  Raymond died on September 7, 1962.  Irene later married Paul W. Kunkel in 1988.  She retired from the Mankato State University Registrar’s Office in 1988.  In her free time, Irene enjoyed traveling, gardening, caring for house plants, decorating cakes, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Irene is survived by her children, Marlys (Lowell) Evenson, Dennis (Connie), Derek, Paula (John) Schuster, and Lyle (Trudy); daughter-in-law, Kim Kunkel; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Anita Born; brother, Melvin Bartsch; and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; son, Lyndon and infant son; grandson, Stefan Evenson; daughter-in-law, Linda; sister, Leona Garman; and brothers, Arno and Leonard.