Eileen Marie (Gaboury) Kunkel

Eileen Marie Kunkel, age 66 of Mankato, died Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 4, 2008 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato with Rev. Tim Biren, Rev. Francis Kunz and Deacon Jerrold Kunkel officiating. Burial will be in Decoria Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday from 1 " 5 p.m., with a 3:00 p.m., prayer service at Mankato Mortuary. Visitation continues on Monday one hour before the service at the church.

Eileen Kunkel was born January 22, 1942 to Adam and Hazel (Martineau) Gaboury in Duluth, Minnesota. She graduated from St. Jean's High School in 1960 and Vocational School in Duluth. She worked as an LPN for three years. Eileen was united in marriage to James J. Kunkel on May 11, 1963 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Mapleton. She was a homemaker for her family. Eileen was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato and Chip-O-Tex wood carvers in Harlingen, TX.

Eileen enjoyed wood carving, oil painting, knitting, crocheting, needle point and spending winters in Texas, Arizona, and California. She enjoyed spending time with family and especially her grandchildren.

Eileen is survived by her husband, Jim Kunkel of Mankato; children, Deacon Jerrold (Karen) Kunkel of Mankato, Keith (Rosemary) Kunkel of Madison Lake, Tony (Michele) Kunkel of Yankton, SD; nine grandchildren, Katie, James, and Bella Kunkel, Cheyenne, Adam Rachael, and Killian Kunkel, Ivy and Ian Parkurst; two brothers, Marcel (Suzi) Gaboury of Pine River, MN, Larry (Ciely) Gaboury of Cedar City, Utah; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and an infant brother, Gerald.