Luella Clara Gunkel

   Luella Clara Gunkel, 94, died Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

   Luella was born April 1, 1925 on a farm in Tower City, ND to Killian and Bertha (Hoffmeyer) Rickel.  She graduated High School in 1943 and attended Valley City College and received a teaching certificate.  Luella traveled to Virginia and in 1945 joined the Army where she worked in the finance department. After being honorably discharged in 1947, Luella moved to Battle Creek, Michigan and worked as a typist and ward clerk at the hospital. She later moved to Fargo, ND and worked for the IRS.

   On June 26, 1948, Luella married A. William “Bill” Gunkel and made their home on a farm in Hope, ND.  They later moved to a farm in Page, ND.  Luella served for 17 years as a volunteer for the Sunday School program at the Page Lutheran Church.  She loved ceramics and other crafts, online scrabble, card games, and playing slots at the casino.  Luella enjoyed the peacefulness of Texas where she and Bill spent 14 winters. She will be remembered as a great cook, devoted mother and wife, and the family peacekeeper.

   Survivors include her children: Lynde David Gunkel of Waukee, IA, Karl (Eileen) Gunkel of Conway, SC, Linda Bryden of Washougal, WA; daughter-in-law, Connie Gunkel; grandchildren: Lance (Carolyn) Gunkel, Jason (Liz) Gunkel, John William Bryden, Bethanie (Dan) Shannon, Justin Bryden, Alex (Silvia) Gunkel and Andrew Gunkel; great grandchildren: William, Peter, Evan, Adalyn, Alex, Jr. and Albert; siblings: Lucille Rich (twin sister) and Allen Rickel. Luella was preceded in death by her husband, son-in-law, John Bryden; siblings: Kenneth Rickel, Birney Rickel, Freddie Rickel, Mildred Mark and Mary Lou Wagner.

   In Des Moines, Iowa a funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, October 15^th at Iles Funeral Homes Westover Chapel, where her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

   A committal service will be held Thursday at the cemetery in Page, North Dakota.

Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com. or

Condolences and memories can be shared at www.bakerfuneral.com