Obituary for Eunice Caroline Rumpel

Eunice Caroline Rumpel, 89, of Fontanelle, IA, died Thursday, November 13, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Center in Fontanelle. Eunice was born November 2, 1919 in Carroll County, IA, the daughter of Hubert and Amelia (Westphalen) Lamp. She attended rural school in Crawford County, completing the 9th grade in Manning High School in 1933. Following her formal education, Eunice was employed as a household-helper in the Manning and Botna areas. On November 2, 1938, Eunice was united in marriage to Julius Koester, a neighbor she had known many years. They made their home in Manning as Julius operated a custom baler as well as doing carpenter work. A son, Eugene Julius, was born on April 14, 1941 in Carroll, IA. Soon after, Julius migrated to Canada and Alaska and found employment in conjunction with the building of the Alcan Highway. On his return, the family moved to Aspinwall for a brief period, then to North Dakota, and finally settled for a number of years in Newcastle, WY. Julius continued his carpentry career while Eunice followed her passion of baking. Her baking expertise began what was to be a long career at the Newcastle Bakery. In 1959, son Eugene began his college studies at the University of Wyoming. A year later, Eunice and Julius moved to Laramie to be near Eugene and Eunice found employment in the baking department of the University. She soon became ''head baker'' and enjoyed her profession immensely. Julius passed away suddenly on October 8, 1972. Eunice retired from her University position and soon after married Frank (Burr) Baillie on June 15, 1974. They enjoyed retirement with travel, fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling until Burr passed away on April 24, 1976. Eunice then spent winters in Phoenix, AZ taking her truck and 5th wheel by herself. While there, she was introduced to Julius (Jay) Rumpel from Kansas City, KS. Romance once again blossomed and they were united in marriage on November 8, 1980 at St. Patrick''s Church in Kansas City, KS. Eunice and Jay enjoyed many years of extensive travel and outdoor activities as well as several winters in Arizona. Jay passed away on February 12, 2001 at Spring Winds Assisted Living in Laramie, WY at the age of 93. Eunice continued to live in her Laramie, WY home with the aid of Health Services and time spent in and out of the local nursing home. In November 2001 Eunice became a resident of the Good Samaritan Center in Fontanelle, IA. During this time her son Eugene passed away on June 7, 2002. Eunice was preceded in death by her three husbands, her son, her parents, two sisters, and a brother-in-law. Eunice is survived by her sister, Joanne Dunkerson and husband Ronald of Panora, IA; daughter-in-law Susan Ward Koester of Laramie, WY; nieces Barbara Herr of Fontanelle and Brenda Boell of Ames; nephew Keith Schwitzer of Henderson, NV; four great-nephews, John, Philip, Stephen, and David Herr of Fontanelle; and brothers-in-law Louis Boell of Manilla, IA and Eldor Schwitzer of Colorado Springs, CO. Eunice was always a hard, dedicated, loyal, and dependable worker. She had exceptional talents in baking, cooking, sewing, and cake decorating. She also enjoyed photography, travel, dancing, as well as family and outdoor activities. Online condolences may be left for the Rumpel family by clicking on "Sign Guestbook" below.