Joan Victoria (Herbers) Dunkel

Joan Victoria (Herbers) Dunkel, 89, of Manchester, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at Marietta’s Place in Manchester.   She was born on January 31, 1927, in New Vienna, the daughter of Joseph F. and Anna T. (Steffen) Herbers.  Joan graduated from St. Boniface High School in New Vienna.

Joan attended Mount Mercy College.  She was involved in the compiling of the 1945 Clarke College Red Book of Recipes which was a collection of recipes and menu suggestions.

On June 13, 1950 Joan was united in marriage to Nicholas Edmund Dunkel, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, New Vienna.  They farmed in Bellevue until 1956, when they moved to their current farm in Manchester.  They enjoyed traveling and family outings.

Joan was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Manchester.  She served as President of the Rosary Society and did many projects including a fashion show.  Joan was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She enjoyed going to dances, playing cards, crossword puzzles, needlework, quilting, and gardening.

Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Nick; her five children, Beth (Jim) Westpfahl of Sergeant Bluff, Sandra Bunce of Anamosa, Neal (Karrie) Dunkel of Manchester,  Brian (Colleen) Dunkel of Barrington, Illinois, and Denise (Kevin) Dirth of Muscatine; many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren; and a brother, Father Simon Herbers of Houston, Texas.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Patricia Burns; a brother, Urban Herbers; and a sister, Sister Gabriel Herbers.

The family would like to thank the loving and caring staff at the Manchester Good Neighbor Home; their care was exceptional.

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