1920
Elsa
2005
Elsa Kunkel
October 7, 1920 — June 17, 2005
Elsa C. Christiansen was born on October 07, 1920, on the family farm west of Wilmot, SD, to parents, Soren and Olga Christiansen. She attended eight grades of country school near Wilmot, and then she and her sister Ruth went to California to live with her Aunt Christy and Uncle Roy and attended Escalon, California High School. Following graduation, Elsa returned to South Dakota and attended nursing school in Watertown, SD. During her internship in Adrian she met and married Al Kunkel in 1945. They had two daughters, JoAnne and Marilyn. For over twenty years, Elsa waitressed at Magnolia Steak House.
Elsa lived in Adrian, MN, until 1997, then choose to move to Browns Valley, MN, where her sister and Brother-in-law lived. Elsa lived in an apartment for two years before entering the Browns Valley Health Center, where she lived for six years. During her time at the nursing home she was a greeter for the new residents and their families. Elsa helped to ease their transition and made many new friends in the process. She was also helpful to staff and residents and always loved to visit and have people visit here. Elsa sold ticket for events to get things for the nursing home and was on the resident council. Elsa was beloved by so many people through out her life and will be deeply missed.
We will always treasure the fond memories of Elsa and all that she gave to us and to life.
Elsa passed away on Friday, June 17, 2005 at the Browns Valley Health Center in Browns Valley, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Al Kunkel; daughter, JoAnn (Kunkel) Bicking; and a sister, Agnes Tuff.
Elsa is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Kunkel of Minneapolis, MN; grandson, Scott Bicking of Minneapolis, MN; son-in-law, Charles (Heidi) Bicking; and two step granddaughters, Alyssa and Heather Bicking all of Minneapolis, MN; four sisters, Ruth (David) Cowler of Modesto, CA; Gladys Nelson of Escalon, CA; Mildred Serocki of Woodland Park, CO; and Mavis (Buzz) Krone of Browns Valley, MN; several nieces and nephews, extended family and a host of friends.
Elsa lived in Adrian, MN, until 1997, then choose to move to Browns Valley, MN, where her sister and Brother-in-law lived. Elsa lived in an apartment for two years before entering the Browns Valley Health Center, where she lived for six years. During her time at the nursing home she was a greeter for the new residents and their families. Elsa helped to ease their transition and made many new friends in the process. She was also helpful to staff and residents and always loved to visit and have people visit here. Elsa sold ticket for events to get things for the nursing home and was on the resident council. Elsa was beloved by so many people through out her life and will be deeply missed.
We will always treasure the fond memories of Elsa and all that she gave to us and to life.
Elsa passed away on Friday, June 17, 2005 at the Browns Valley Health Center in Browns Valley, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Al Kunkel; daughter, JoAnn (Kunkel) Bicking; and a sister, Agnes Tuff.
Elsa is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Kunkel of Minneapolis, MN; grandson, Scott Bicking of Minneapolis, MN; son-in-law, Charles (Heidi) Bicking; and two step granddaughters, Alyssa and Heather Bicking all of Minneapolis, MN; four sisters, Ruth (David) Cowler of Modesto, CA; Gladys Nelson of Escalon, CA; Mildred Serocki of Woodland Park, CO; and Mavis (Buzz) Krone of Browns Valley, MN; several nieces and nephews, extended family and a host of friends.