WATKINS: Armella Elizabeth Hinkel, age 89, died Monday, April 3, 2006 at her daughter’s home following an extended illness.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, April 6, 2006 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Watkins with Father Keith L. Birch as Celebrant. Interment will be held at St. Patrick & St. Paul Cemetery in Watkins. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 to 7 PM, on Wednesday where a Scripture Service will begin at 7 PM.

Armella was born January 26, 1917 near Norway to Henry and Elizabeth (Schulte) Freese and attended St. Michael’s Catholic School. On June 19, 1946 she married Edwin Hinkel at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Norway. He preceded her in death in 1993.

Armella was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Watkins and a member of the Altar & Rosary Society. In her leisure she enjoyed playing cards and bingo, gardening, traveling and watching Hawkeye Basketball. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by three sons, James (Diane) Hinkel of San Antonio, TX, Robert Hinkel and (Ruth Montgomery) of Watkins and Raymond Hinkel of Norway; her two daughters, Patricia (Steve) Karsten of Middle Amana, and Connie Andrew of Watkins and (Mike Bruggeman) of Walford; her grandchildren, Jon Hinkel, Jody (Kim) Hinkel, Chrystal, Hinkel, Heather, Hinkel, Shawn (Lori) Moss, Steven Moss, Jamie (LeRoy) Bradley, Holly (Chad) Pegump, Amy (Jon) Behrle, David (Amy) Andrew and Scott Andrew; fourteen great-grandchildren; her sister, Margaret Himmelsbach of Norway: and her sisters-in-law, Thelma Freese of Norway and Delphine McGinney of St. Louis; her beloved companion, Molly Mae; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, four brothers, George, Charles, Arthur and Delbert Freese, and one sister, Lucille Freese Rottger preceded her in death.

Phillips Funeral Home in Blairstown is in charge of arrangements.