Lenhardt Lee Kungel and Darlene Mae (Quast) celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on July 17, 2022, at The
Bunker in Jamestown, North Dakota. The event was catered by Nikki Damnke from “The Grateful Plate.” There were over 100 relatives and friends who attended, representing 11 different states.
Lenhardt and Darlene were married on August 21, 1955, in the Kulm Seventh-day Adventist Church. Lenhardt must have been quite smitten with Darlene to have agreed to a wedding date during the middle of harvest. After celebrating a short honeymoon in the Black Hills, they returned to the family farm where they continued to farm until their retirement in 1998. Since retiring they have split their time between living in Jamestown, North Dakota, and Mesa, Arizona.
Farming and Christian education are two passions they both share. Lenhardt was presented with the “Outstanding Farmer of McIntosh County” award. He also served on the McIntosh County Weed Board until his retirement, as well as being chair of the Agricultural Stabilization Committee. His passion for Christian education led him to serve as vice president and then president of the Alumni Association of Dakota Adventist Academy and Sheyenne River Academy.
None of this could have been accomplished without a loving and supportive wife. Darlene’s greatest talents are leadership, hospitality and music. She also served as treasurer for the DAA/SRA Alumni Association. She has held various roles in the church and could be found leading out in song service every Sabbath. The Community Kulm Singspiration was organized by Darlene and was an avenue to unite the community under one roof doing what they loved best—praising the Lord in song.
Together, their love for young people has led them to financially assist many Dakota students and recently establish the “Kungel Family Endowment Scholarship” at Dakota Adventist Academy. The Kungel Family Endowment Fund provides two Dakota students each a $1500 scholarship to attend DAA annually. Recipients are selected by a scholarship committee at the start of first semester, and awarded funds are credited to Dakota Adventist Academy for the recipients’ benefit upon successful completion of the school year. Financial need is the primary criteria, though scholarship (GPA) and citizenship activities are taken into consideration.
The couple has four children: Charlotte (Randy) Reimer of San Antonio, Florida; Barbara (Tom) Simons of Lincoln, Nebraska; Bonnie (Lonnie) Kreiter of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Theresa (Mark) Parker of Lincoln, Nebraska. They also have five grandchildren: Jonathon (Hannah) Reimer of Lincoln, Nebraska; Shaunna (Luke) Mayers of Ashland, Virginia; Kevin (Heather) Reimer of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Lauren (Jon) Lewellen of San Diego California; and Amanda (Andy) Johnson of Lincoln, Nebraska. In addition, they have nine great-grandchildren.
Charlotte Reimer is the oldest daughter of Lenhardt and Darlene Kungel.
