Carol Avis Tunkin

Carol Avis (Nunn) Tunkin 90, passed away at Kavanagh House on 56th in Des Moines on Monday, February 14, 2011. Carol was the oldest of eight children born to Jesse and Rachel Nunn. She arrived in this world on December 3, 1920, at her grandmother’s house in Bridgeport, NE. Carol always reported that she had the happiest of childhoods growing up in western Nebraska near Chimney Rock. She remembered long days outdoors, riding the horses and playing with her brothers and sisters. Regular family gatherings allowed her to know her aunts, uncles and cousins. When she was 14 the family moved to Kremmling, CO.

Her adult life took her to Denver, where she discovered the Baha’i Faith, and then on to Wilmette, IL, where she met and married her beloved husband Gus Tunkin. Carol and Gus started their married life moving to Providence, RI. They later moved back to IL and started a family, settling in Tuscola when their children were young to be near her two sisters who had married and settled there. Carol worked as a nursing assistant, helping in any way she could. She also was a referral contact for an agency on aging. She was always helpful to her family and her faith in any way possible. She moved to be near family several times in her life, enjoying Madison, WI, Champaign, IL, and spending the last 23 years in West Des Moines, IA.

Carol was devoted to God and the Baha’i Faith, her family and her friends. Most strangers were, to her, friends. Her caring heart was known to her extended family as well as foster children and countless others who needed temporary shelter from life’s challenges. She loved to travel geographically or intellectually and was an avid reader. She enjoyed all things beautiful: art, music, dance and nature all interested her. Her curious mind loved new inventions and technology, as well as sociology and psychology. She loved a good laugh as well as a good prayer. She was always grateful for the good that came her way.

She is survived by her daughters, Trena (Bill) Vermillion, Marena (Gary Scott) Tunkin; brothers, Norman (Jean) and Max (Rose May) Nunn; sisters, Ardith Lambert and Doris Kleiss; grandchildren, Billy (Kelly Barnard), Jamie (Jill), Dulcie, Wesley and Robbie Vermillion, Devon and Zane Scott-Tunkin; and was excited to soon be great-grandmother to Alex and Connor Barnard. Carol was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gus; parents, Jesse and Rachael Nunn; and brothers, Keith, Norris and Wayne.

Services will be at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, on Wednesday, February 16, at 2:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. A private interment will follow.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Central Iowa, the Red Cross or NPR.

Online condolences may be made at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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