Ada Marie Weiss Gunkel

She was born in Victor, IA, on March 12, 1923, to Ernest and Laura Koehn Weiss. She graduated with perfect attendance from Coyle High School in Coyle, OK, where she was the star guard on the girl’s basketball team.

She married Jack Elvin Gunkel on December 21, 1946, in Guthrie, OK. They had one daughter, Frances Marie (Gunkel) Boyles.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Laura Weiss, her grandparents Frederick Koehn and Wilhemina (Schmidt) Koehn, her great-grandparents Johann S. Koehn and Anna Steinfatt Koehn of Mecklenburg, Germany, her husband Jack Elvin Gunkel, and sister Inez Willson.

She is survived by her daughter Frances Boyles and husband, Dr. Russ Boyles of Odessa; her grandson who was the pride and joy of her life, Stephen Weiss Boyles of Dallas; brother Ernest Weiss and wife, Ruby of Midland; nephew Fred Weiss of Midland; and her constant companion, the family dog, a St. Bernard named Moose.

She was baptized and confirmed as a Lutheran. She was a 60-year member of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Odessa, TX, where she was the past president of the Altar Guild and original coordinator of the fellowship meals prior to Wednesday Bible Study. She was also a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

She was the owner of AM & FM Antiques and Gifts, a charter member of the Women’s Auxiliary of Odessa Women’s & Children’s Hospital (ORMC), a member of the Royal Neighbors of America and the I Love Hats Club.

Her Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 23, 2013, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 824 E. 18th St, Odessa, TX, with Reverend William Hillyer officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Boyles, Dave von Hollen, Dr. Darel Lamb, Larry Namken, Ed Ramsey, and Fred Weiss. Acolytes are Vincent Serrano and Danielle Garcia.

Memorials may be sent in her memory to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 824 E. 18th St, Odessa, TX, 79761. Online condolences may be offered at www.hubbardkellyfuneralhome.com.

Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa.