E. Frederick Kunkler

Fred was born on October 5, 1926 in Eagle, Idaho, to Elmer Frederick and Chloe Kunkler. He was the youngest, with four older sisters: Vera, Esther, Thelma, and Mildred. He first lived on the family farm located on Eagle Island. His family moved to their home on West State Street in Eagle when he was 14 years old. He graduated from Eagle High School in 1943, and promptly joined the Navy. His ship, the USS Ticonderoga, arrived in Japan a few months after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He later said that he saw things there, “that this little farm boy didn’t want to see.” After discharge, Fred returned home and hoped to go to college, but his father’s poor health, and eventual death, required that he stay home near his mother to run the farm and dairy herd.
Fred married Lois Marie Roark in the Eagle First Baptist Church (now Rembrandt’s Coffee Shop) in 1949. Fred played baseball for the Eagle town team and he was a founding member of the Eagle Fire District. He was president of the New Dry Creek Ditch Company for over 30 years. Fred and Lois were active civic volunteers in Eagle for many years while they continued to farm and grow a small dairy herd. Known for his strong work ethic, Fred worked for local farmers, continued to run his dairy and lease-farmed over 100 acres in the Eagle area—simultaneously. Even though he worked long and hard hours, he loved to laugh and give his friends a hard time. He would often find the time to lean on a shovel, or across a fence, and BS with a neighbor.
After selling the dairy herd, Fred and Lois were able to travel to Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Canada. They also accomplished their goal of traveling to all 50 states. They were very loving and giving parents. We also appreciate that they were very involved and supportive of all their grandkids.
Lois passed away in 2013, and Fred continued to live alone on the family farm until he was 91. Fred is survived by his three children: Lynne (Ron) Sedlacek, Rick (Deb) Kunkler, and Karie (Ron) Arnold; grandchildren: Luke (Kristie), Molly (Jake), Kelsey (Shane), and Cam (Kristina); two great-grandsons Wyatt and Weston; and several nieces and nephews.
Our family is very grateful to the angels at Grace Assisted Living and St. Luke’s Hospice. You made a hard situation so much better.
To honor his request, only graveside services will be held. Services will be held on November 7, 2018 at 3:00 pm at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.