Frances L. Kunkel, 63, of Bristol, died Jan. 20, 2014, at her home. She was born Feb. 13, 1950, in Racine, to the late Emil and Frances (Perry) Kasten.
Frances was raised on the farm in Paris Township and had relocated to Janesville, for some time, then moved back to Salem, settling in Bristol in 1965. She was raised Methodist, but also attended Catholic church; she enjoyed sewing, quilting, cooking, and baking.
Frances especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She worked for nearly 30 years as a rural letter carrier for Bristol and then Salem, and was a member of the Rural Letter Carriers Association.
On May 28, 1977, she married Lawrence Kunkel in McHenry, Ill.
She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Larry; children, Rachel (Mike) Bisom of Kenosha; Greg (Melanie) Kunkel of Salem, and Heidi (Erik) Zavacke of Wheatland; step-children, Larry (Debbie) Kunkel of McHenry; Michael (Doreen) Kunkel of McHenry, and Kathy Kunkel of Volo, Ill.; siblings, Edna Mae (Richard) Winfield; Joanne (Bob) Spenle; Rose (James) Struck and sister-in-law, Bev Kasten; grandchildren, Cameron, Benjamin, Araya, and Abigail Frances, to be born in May, as well as many others that called her “grandma.” And her extended family, Bryan (Marlene) Reid and Gail (Guy) Hagen.
In addition to her parents, Frances was preceded in death by a step-daughter, Mary Kunkel and a brother, Howard Kasten.
Funeral services will be begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Bristol United Methodist Church, Rte. 8014 199th Avenue, Bristol, with the Rev. Mary Lu Palmer, officiating. Interment will follow in St. Scholastica Cemetery, Bristol.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 and Friday, Jan. 25, at the Strang Funeral Home of Antioch, 1055 main St. (Rte. 83) Antioch, Ill. (Call 847-395-4000 for information.)
Well-wishers can sign her online guestbook at www.strangfh.com