Ima Kankel

Ima Josephine Yeary Kankel passed away on November 30, 2017 in Round Rock, TX at the age of 86. She was born February 27, 1931 in Illinois Colony, TX, the daughter of Emmett and Edna Yeary and one of 10 siblings. She grew up in the Spring Branch area graduating from Lamar High School and attended Texas Women’s University in Denton. In 1955 she married her husband Elroy (Cuter) Kankel and enjoyed a marriage of 46 years until his death in 2001. They were blessed with three children - David, Diane and Carol. Early in their marriage they lived in Houston, Brenham, and Smithville before settling in Austin in 1961 for Elroy’s work with Southwestern Bell. They spent the next 22 years raising their family in Austin before retiring back to the farm in Brenham in 1983. Ima worked for 17 years at the IRS while in Austin before retirement and then enjoyed working at the auction barns in Brenham and Milano on a part time basis. She continued to live on her own in Brenham for 10 years after Elroy’s death, before moving once again to Austin in 2011 to be closer to her children. During her time back in Austin, she enjoyed many new friends and activities at Greenridge Buckner Independent Living apartments. In the last couple of years, she was loved and cared for at Falcon Ridge Skilled Nursing and University Village Assisted Living.

Ima enjoyed playing bridge, doing crosswords, and watching her beloved Astros. She was a lifetime learner, always signing up for community classes and taking every opportunity to educate herself with new skills and knowledge. She was a beloved Mom, serving as cub scout den mother and home room mother in the early years, and always making sure her kids could be involved in every activity that interested them whether sports, scouts, dance or twirling. She was a baker, making the best pies and the crust from scratch. We all remember fondly the best Thanksgiving meals followed by delicious pies and wonderful cookies and sweet treats at Christmas, especially her Fruit Cake cookies, a time consuming process that we gladly continue as our own tradition. It wouldn’t be Christmas without Grandma’s fruit cake cookies!

Ima was a beloved Grandma to Matt, Kayla, Brianne, Amy, Katie & Megan. She enjoyed watching them grow up into wonderful adults and was so proud of each of them. We know their times with Grandma will be remembered with much love.

She was strong in her Christian faith and was a long time member of Faith Lutheran Church in Austin and Salem Lutheran Church in Brenham.

Ima had many special caregivers over the last couple of years of her life. The family would like to especially thank Brittney Nickel who was like another granddaughter, and the wonderful staff at University Village in Round Rock. Their love and compassion was a gift to all of us.

Ima is survived by son and daughter-in- law, David & Kathleen Kankel, daughters and sons-in-law, Diane & Brian Markert, and Carol & Ronnie White. Grandchildren Matt & Katy Markert, Kayla Markert & fiancé Cole Lujan, Brianne Kankel, Amy Kankel, Katie White, and Megan & Kelby Combest. Also survived by her dear sister & best friend Mary Jane Bauer, sisters-in-law Margo Yeary and Gerdine Fuchs, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Sunday, December 3rd, at Memorial Oaks Chapel, from 5-7pm. Services will be Monday, December 4th, at 2pm at Salem Lutheran Church in Brenham. Interment will follow at Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. Serving as pallbearers will be Ima’s nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Salem Lutheran Church organ fund or to Cross Trails Ministry at www.crosstrails.org.

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