George Kunkle, age 96, of Algona, Iowa died on Sunday March 16, 2014 at the Algona Good Samaritan Care Center. Mass of the Resurrection will be 10:30 am Wednesday at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona, with Rev. Ed Girres celebrating. Burial will be in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the VFW Post # 2541 and the Hagg-Turner American Legion Post #90 of Algona. Visitation will be 4 – 6:30 pm Tuesday at Lentz Funeral Home in Algona, with a 4 pm Rosary and a 6:30 pm Scripture Service.

George Bernard Kunkel, the oldest child of Bernard M. and Caroline C. (Lang) Kunkel, was born on April 27, 1917 in Haverhill, Iowa. He attended St. Benedict School. George entered in the service on January 4, 1942 and was honorably discharged on Nov. 1, 1945 as a Sergeant. During WWII he was stationed in New Guinea and the Southern Philippines. On November 19, 1947 George was united in marriage with Evelyn M. Hanig in Wesley. Evelyn passed away in 1996. George was then united in marriage with Evelyn Huschka on June 20, 1997. George farmed until he moved to Algona in 1973. He then worked at the Cargill Elevator. George was a member of St. Cecelia Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and a life member of VFW Post #2451 of Algona. He had also served on the ASC Board for Prairie Township and the Wesley Creamery Board. George enjoyed watching sports, especially baseball, fishing, growing a big vegetable garden and sharing his harvest. In April 2011 George had the privilege of being on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Left to cherish George's memory is his wife of 16 years, Evelyn; two daughters, Barbara Ann Knoll and her husband Jerry of Mason City and Jolene Kunkel of Algona; a son, David Kunkel of Titonka; two step children, John Huschka and his wife Vicki of Cedar Rapids and Mary Biede and her husband Bob of Council Bluffs; three grandchildren, Angie Gilbert, Ryan Knoll and Robin Laddusaw; six step grandchildren; three great grandchildren; eight step great grandchildren; two sisters, Edna Zeimet of Algona and Rose Marie Schiltz and her husband Ed of Bancroft; and a brother, Conrad Kunkel and his wife Rosella of Bancroft. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Evelyn; a stepdaughter, Anne Anderson; a granddaughter, Sara Knoll; brothers, James, Bernard, Omer, Clarence, Robert and Virgil Kunkel; and sisters, Veronica Spangler, Kathleen Becker, Ileene Ptacek, Jean Marie Kunkel and Rita Frankl.