On Monday, February 27, Doris Louise (nee: Nienkamp) Bunge, passed away peacefully at the age of 88, surrounded by her family. Doris was born on September 13, 1934, to Walter and Leona Nienkamp in Holstein, MO.
Doris attended Smith Creek Grade School and then graduated from Warrenton High School in 1952. At the age of 17, she traveled alone, by train, from Missouri to California to marry Ardel Florence Bunge, while he was a Marine and stationed at Camp Pendleton. They wed on June 8, 1952. After brief stints of living in Holstein and Berkeley, MO, they returned to Smith Creek and lived on the picturesque farm, where Doris spent much of her childhood. There, they raised five children - Michael, Patricia, Steven, Jeffrey, and Gregory. The family was at the center of Doris’ world. She was also an avid member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Holstein. Doris enjoyed quilting and gardening and also delivered Meals on Wheels. Many summers, she’d be found on the patio shelling peas, trimming green beans, and shucking corn - the bounty from her impressive garden - with her extended family. In the fall, there would be a beautiful selection of pumpkins in the side yard with people stopping by to pick one out and say hello. She was a wonderful cook. No one could claim to be hungry in her presence, lest she fixes them a full meal and insists they sit and eat. Her immense love of family was second only to the tremendous affection her family feels for her.
Doris Bunge is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Leona, her husband, Ardel, and her brother, Robert Nienkamp. She is survived by her children, Michael (Nancy) Bunge, Patricia (Tom) Hutfless, Steven (Teresa) Bunge, Jeffrey (Donna) Bunge, Gregory (Beth) Bunge; her grandchildren, David (Amy) Bunge, Katie Bunge, Kevin (Elly) Bunge-Zeira, Julie (Ben) Whitsitt, Amy Bunge, Jason (Ciarra) Bunge, Justin Bunge, Kayla Hutfless, Jenna Hutfless, Sarah Bunge, Jack Bunge; and her great-grandchildren, Harrison and Beckett Bunge; with three more on the way.
A Celebration of Doris' life will be held on Monday, March 6, from 10 A.M. - 12 P.M. at Immanuel UCC in Holstein. A Celebration Service will also be held on Monday, March 6, beginning at 12 P.M. A committal service will follow at the Immanuel UCC Cemetery. Memorial donations made in honor of Doris Bunge are suggested to Immanuel UCC Holstein c/o Martin Funeral Home.
