Velma L. Kunkel

Velma Louise Kanatzar Kunkel, 93, of Oregon, MO, passed away June 26, 2018, to join the Lord. She was of a generation that grew up in the Depression, attended a one-room schoolhouse (Franklin) and worked for the “war cause.”
Velma was born Dec. 21, 1924, to Virgil Sr. and Jennie (Long) Kanatzar, on a farm west of Skidmore, MO.  She was the 2nd of four children; and preceded in death by both parents, husband Chester, brother Junior Kanatzar, and brothers-in-law Daniel Deffenbaugh and William Wilson.
After graduating from Maitland High School in 1943, Velma worked a year in St. Joseph, at National Bellas Hess, until her Uncle Bill Long talked her into going out to California with them.  She worked as a civil service keypunch operator, at the Army Engineering Depot near Lathrop, south of Stockton.
Velma decided to return to St. Joseph in 1945, where she began work at the Mechanics Bank and roomed with Mary Frier (Fender), at the YWCA.
It was during this time she met her husband of 64 years, Chester Kunkel. They were married October 26th, 1947, and began their married life in and around New Point, MO, but for over 50 years, they lived in the house north of New Point, raising four children.
Survivors include son, Gary Kunkel of Oregon (4 children), MO, daughters, Debra Bailey (Herb and 3 children) of Lawrence, KS, and Lora Beth Cox (Richard) of Overland Park, KS, and son, Todd Kunkel (Donna) of Overland Park, KS; sisters, Mildred Deffenbaugh, Savannah, MO and Geraldine Wilson, Easton, MO; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Family visitation: Thurs, June 28, 2018, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon. Funeral services: Fri., June 29, 2018, 10:00 am, Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon. Interment: New Point (Cowan) Cemetery, New Point, Mo. Memorials: New Point Cemetery or the Holt County Cancer Fund.