Colleen Ann Kunkel, age 94, of Remsen passed away on Monday, Nov. `25, 2024 at Bavarian Meadows Assisted Living in Remsen, IA.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Remsen, IA with Rev. Timothy Pick officiating and Deacon Doug Heeren assisting. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Remsen, IA. Visitation with family present will be 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, there will be a rosary and vigil prayer service at 5 p.m. all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen. Visitation will resume from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesday morning at the funeral home.

Colleen was born Oct. 3, 1930 in Le Mars, IA the daughter of Elmer & Margaret (Lite) Kennedy. She was raised in Le Mars and attended St. Joseph Catholic High School, graduating in 1947. She was also the last living member of that class. After graduation she worked for Wells Dairy and Le Mars Savings Bank. 

On Feb. 7, 1950 she married Orville Kunkel at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars, IA. They lived on a farm west of Marcus then farmed north and west of Remsen until 2002 when they moved into Remsen. Orville passed away Feb. 14, 2013.

Colleen was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and church guild. Colleen was a fun loving Irish lady who worked very hard at being a great friend, loving wife and being a great mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved gardening, bowling, casino gambling, baking and holding babies. According to her family she also made the best banana bread in the country. In conversation she had the knack of making you feel like you were the most important person in the room.

Survivors include her 10 children, Chuck (Mary) Kunkel of Omaha, NE, Kevin (Audrey) Kunkel of Fremont, NE, Michelle (David) Reinholdt of Le Mars, IA, Jim (Karen) Kunkel of Elkhart, IA, Renee Sheehan of Remsen, IA, Barbara Pierson (Kal Kohler) of Le Mars, IA, David (Jessica) Kunkel of Remsen, IA, Roger (Kristy) Kunkel of Sioux City, IA, Connie (Kurt) Schneekloth of Oakland, NE, Shannan (Bill) Schreiner of Remsen, IA; 17 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Pat (Marlyn) Kennedy of Le Mars, IA, Al (Ramona) Kennedy of Cherokee, IA; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded by her parents; her husband Orville; her brother, Larry Kennedy; grandson, Christopher Kunkel; son-in-law, Larry Sheehan.

Casket bearers will be her grandsons, Dustin Kunkel, Jason Reinholdt, Daniel Sheehan, Neil Sheehan, Jonathan Schreiner and William Pierson.

Honorary bearers will be her granddaughters, Becky Jackson, Trisha Stoeber, Jodi House, Molly Fordyce, Jennifer Krier and Allison Martin.