Lenora Joy Kunkel

Lenora Joy Kunkel
January 27, 1931 - December 27, 2009

Lenora Joy Kunkel was born in Hamilton, TX and raised in that area during her formative years. She graduated from Priddy High School. In 1949, aunts and uncles introduced Lenora to Alton "Jim" Kunkel at church. She must have liked the last name. They courted for three months and were married in Priddy, TX that same year. Their marriage was a model for future generations.

Lenora was a pioneer in so many ways. She joined Jim in Germany while he was in the Army and lived there for 16 months. They were able to tour a lot of Europe. She traveled to New York by herself and sailed by alone to Europe and back.

Lenora and Jim moved to Nevada in 1960 to homestead. She drove a two-ton truck to Nevada, pulling a car behind the truck while her husband pulled a trailer house. Lenora worked as Postmaster in the small NV town near where the family farmed. Later in life,
Lenora could not understand how the post office of today could deliver mail to the wrong house! She helped Jim with his business by taking care of the bookkeeping after moving to Denver.

Lenora was always active in her church and wanted to share her faith in the Lord with others. While in Nevada, she and Jim started a Christian Sunday School and brought a pastor into the community for church services when there were none. The Kunkels were charter members of Zion Lutheran Church in Winnemucca and helped construct the new sanctuary.

Lenora had three children - Jim, Karin and Dewayne. She was blessed with three grandchildren - Eric, Suzanne, and Josh as well two great grandchildren. She was always part of her children's lives. Although she didn't ride, she went to every horse show, parade and trail ride her children were part of. She loved going to football games for the boys and would organize groups of parents for caravans for away games; some as far away as 200 miles! Rainy day games would find Lenora and Jim bundled up and covered in plastic but on the bleachers, nonetheless.

Lenora was the oldest of 14 children. She really raised three generations children; first helping raise her younger brothers and sisters and then her grandchildren. She is survived by ten brothers and sisters - Faye, Joann, Dottie, Janice, Nadine, Ray, Bill, Leroy, Don, and Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Zion Lutheran Church or School, Lakewood, CO as well as Collier Lutheran Hospice, Wheatridge, CO

Visitation Wednesday 1-2 P.M. Funeral service 2 P.M. both at Zion Lutheran Church 2600 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Denver, CO.