Carmen O. Kriegel, age 84 of Malcom, died Monday, March 9, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines following a brief illness. Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 A.M., Friday, March 13, 2009, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Brooklyn with Fr. Brian Shepley officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Brooklyn. Friends may call from 2:00 – 7:30 P.M. Thursday, March 12, 2009 at Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn where the family will be present from 3:30 -7:30. There will be a Scripture Service at 7:30. Memorials may be contributed to the American Cancer Society, St, Patrick’s Altar and Rosary, National Alzheimer’s Association, or the Bear Creek Community Foundation.

She is survived by her husband James; 14 children, Carmen Kay Cordes (Marvin) of Guernsey, Rosemary Neighbors (Gordon) of Malcom, Gary Kriegel (Becky) of Malcom, Kathy Whitsell (Gary) of Chelsea, Connie Buffum (Jim) of Grinnell, Debbie Hargis (Caleb) of New Sharon, Cindy Schmidt of Montezuma, Don Kriegel (Christy) of Malcom, Roger Kriegel (Valerie) of Deep River, Janet Plants (Ron) of Brooklyn, Angie Roller (Kevin) of Holiday Lake, Vickie Bunn (Mike) of Brooklyn, Valerie Schafbuch (Brad) of Victor, and Janine Hawkins (Dave) of Brooklyn; 46 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren; and a half-sister Joan Cummings Williams of Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, Elmer and Danny Kriegel, a daughter Shirley Ahrens, a daughter-in-law Dawn Kriegel, a grandson Todd Allen Kriegel, and a special aunt Doris Estes.

Carmen Opal Cummings was born January 12, 1925, in Grinnell, Iowa the daughter of Raymond and Clio Billick Cummings. She graduated from Malcom High School in 1943 and married James E. Kriegel on June 22, 1946. The couple farmed in Poweshiek County for many years. Carmen was a mother and a homemaker. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Brooklyn, the Altar and Rosary Society, and the River Road Club. She enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling and having family get-togethers.