Rita Mae Frankl

Rita Mae (Kunkel) Frankl was born June 17, 1922, in St. Benedict, daughter of Bernard and Caroline (Lang) Kunkel. She attended school at St. Benedict. Rita was united in marriage to Gerald Patrick Frankl, on January 26, 1942, at St. Benedict, IA. They resided at Irvington, IA where they raised a family of 7 sons and 2 daughters. Rita's career was one of unconditional love as she was a stay-at-home mother of 9 children and was always busy making their house a home which was open to everyone and anyone who needed a home-cooked meal or a warm cozy spot to call home. Her hospitality was unmatched as she welcomed relatives and friends, farmworkers, and friends of her family. Rita was a life-long member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and specifically the Court of St Cecelia #283 of Algona, IA. It was a pleasure for her to be involved in service to the church and help on various committees. Rita enjoyed craft work, card clubs, bowling leagues, gardening, canning, and traveling around the world with her husband, Gerald. Her greatest joy was being with her family and always loved visits with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her siblings were another ...[more]

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at joy and she treasured each time they could gather for cards, exchanging family stories, and the Kunkel girls have always been known for their giggling and shared laughter. Gerald and Rita spent many winters in Alamo, TX, and in 1996 moved there permanently, returning to Iowa for the summers while visiting with all the family. Their Texas home was a vacation spot for family members and friends and it was their joy to be able to give a respite to anyone who wanted to get away from the cold Iowa winters. Rita M. Frankl died Monday, November 25, 2013, at Careage Hills Care Center, Cherokee, IA, at the age of 91. Rita is survived by her sons and daughters. Pat (Sandy) of Corydon, IA, (Jane) spouse of Mike, Algona IA, Ron (Pam), Irvington, IA, (Mickey) wife of Barney, Gene (Jean) of Urbandale, IA, Tim (Darlene) of Sioux City, IA, Annette (Jim Meyer), of Larrabee, IA, Don (Kate) of Jefferson, SD, and Janella (Ron Frankl Reicks) of Cherokee, IA. Rita was blessed with 35 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren. She was also survived by two sisters, Edna Zeimet of Algona and Rose Marie (Ed) Schiltz of Bancroft; two brothers, George (Evelyn) Kunkel of Algona, and Conrad (Rosella) Kunkel of Bancroft; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gerald, a son Mike, a son Barney, a grandson Jerrod, a granddaughter, Sara, and a great-grandson Draydon; four sisters, Veronica Spangler, Jean Marie Kunkel, Ileene Ptacek, and Kathleen Becker; and seven brothers, James, Robert, Clarence Dean, Bernard, Omar and Virgil.