Muriel Kunkel

Muriel Jean Kunkel, 89, of Texarkana, TX, died Saturday, June 2, 2018, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born October 7, 1928, in El Reno, OK, to Herbert W. and Edith Schieber Wieman. In 1941, she met the love of her life, Merlin (Doc) Kunkel, at Camp Lutherhoma in OK. They were married in 1949. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a major in speech pathology, she became a speech therapist. She also obtained a Masters in psychology. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, former president of the Ladies Aid group, and was a member of First Lutheran Church, Texarkana, TX. Always looking to help others, she set up the Christmas Love Tree in Wamba. Mrs. Kunkel was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dr. Merlin (Doc) Kunkel; and a daughter, Jane Carpenter. Left to cherish her memory is her son, Dr. Jim Kunkel and wife, Jan, of Atlanta, TX; two daughters, Julie Patterson and husband, Mark, of Texarkana, TX, and Dr. Jean Thomas and husband, Allan, of Lewiston, ID; a special daughter, Bev Schrader and her husband, Don, of Cheyenne, WY; grandchildren, Ben and Emily Ayers, Graeme Thomas, Gabriel Thomas, Eli Thomas, Hannah Patterson, Conner Patterson, Stephanie and Eric Collins; great-grandchildren, William and Andrew Ayers and Trent and Ashley Hancock; and a number of other relatives, including Roland and Ruth Kunkel of Polk City Florida, dear friend and pew partner, Tommy Brundrett and special friends, Annie Tucker and Terry Boone. The family would like to offer their special thanks to her caregivers they considered to be part of their family: Rhonda Pratt, Karen Craft, Shellie Crank, and Charlotte Gilbreath. A celebration of her life will be held at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at First Lutheran Church, Texarkana, TX, with the Rev. Scott Sundbye officiating. The family will receive friends in the social hall of First Lutheran Church following the memorial service. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Camp Lutherhoma, PO Box 1672 Tahlequah, OK 74465 or online at http://www.lutherhoma.com or to Dierksen Hospice, 6500 N. Summerhill Rd, Ste. C, Texarkana, TX 75503. Online registration is at www.texarkanafuneralhome.com