Carolyn Marie (Holen) Kunkel

Carolyn Marie Kunkel of Kewaunee, died peacefully at Bellin Hospital on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 in Green Bay, WI at the age of 83.

Carolyn was born on May 29th, 1935 in Madison, Wisconsin to Theodore and Gusta (Sveen) Holen. She grew up in Madison and graduated from Madison East High School in 1953. She then attended the University of Wisconsin Madison and graduated with a degree in Business. After college, Carolyn worked for Parker Penn, and then moved to New York to help in organizing The World's Fair in 1964. It was out on the East Coast where she met Thomas Kunkel and they returned to Madison to marry in 1967. The two enjoyed traveling, so when Tom's job took them to the Philippines they were excited about the opportunity. Carolyn and Tom lived and worked in the Philippines until they moved to Brasil in the early 70's. Here, they adopted their son, Mark, and later owned and operated Fazenda Sao Tomas, a fruit farm, growing pineapple, mangos, oranges and raising cattle. Carolyn also had a small dried fruit and flower business which she operated on their farm as well. After selling their farm, they retired and moved back to the United States in 2010 to be closer to their son and family. After Tom's death in January of 2015, Carolyn remained living in Kewaunee where she enjoyed watching her grandchildren in sporting and school events.

Carolyn is survived by her son Mark (Stacy); her sister, Geneva Eggers, Beloit, WI; Sister in laws Mary (Barry) Livingston, Chagrin Falls, OH, Jane Holen, Sturgeon Bay WI; her grandchildren Maya and Toby Kunkel, as well as many loved nieces, nephews, family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Kunkel; brothers, Ted Holen, Glen Holen and Har Holen; Sister, Yvonne Schroeder; Brothers-in-law, Larry Eggers, Don Schroeder and Sister in law Betty Holen.

A celebration of life will be planned for Carolyn later this summer to allow for family and friends to travel to celebrate Carolyn. The family would like to thank the nurses, doctors and hospital staff on the fourth floor at Bellin Hospital for their compassion and for the care they gave Carolyn during her last days.