White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Hazleton – Norma Palmer Kunkle, 90 years old, of Iowa City, Iowa, formerly of Hazleton, died on Friday, August 14, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.  She was born on October 2, 1924, in Independence, Iowa, the daughter of Ross Lester and Pearl Elizabeth (Shaw) Gallup.  She graduated from high school in Fairbank, Iowa, with the Class of 1941, and then attended Iowa State University in Ames.  On July 21, 1943, she and Robert Mitchell Palmer were married at the Presbyterian Church in Littleton, Iowa.  He preceded her in death in 1985.  On October 26, 1986, she and Keith Fred Kunkle were married at the Presbyterian Church in Hazleton.  He preceded her in death in 2000.  Mrs. Kunkle and her first husband owned and operated Palmer’s E-Z Livin’ RV Sales in Hazleton. Music was an important part of her life and she played her portable keyboard whenever she had the chance.

Mrs. Kunkle is survived by 4 daughters, Karen (David) Fernandez of Shellsburg, Iowa, Sherry (Mike) McGinnis of Anthem, Arizona, Dyann (Rick Helms) Buckingham of Vinton, Iowa, and Corinne “Corky” (Jay) Joslyn of Iowa City, 1 son, Robert Palmer of Wasilla, Alaska, 19 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, 2 sisters, Laura (Dwane) Ott of Fairbank, Iowa, and Arlene Zumbach of Marion, Iowa, and 1 brother, Frank (Clea) Gallup of Independence.  She is also survived by 1 honorary son, Freeman (Lisa) Yoder of Decatur, Texas, 5 step children, 14 step grandchildren, 22 step great grandchildren, and 6 step great great grandchildren.

In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents, 1 son, Ron Palmer, 1 granddaughter, Tammy Gangstead, 1 great granddaughter, Gabrielle Griffin, 1 step child, and 1 step grandchild.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2015, at the White Funeral Home in Independence with Pastor Scott Jans officiating.  Burial will be in Hazleton Cemetery in Hazleton.  Friends may call for visitation from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16^th, at the funeral home.