Our dear mother, Lena Dell Shunkwiler, born November 2nd, 1930, passed away in Friso, Texas, in the company of loved ones at the age of 92 on January 24th of 2023. Born to Delbert and Lena (Seger) Cronk, Lena Dell grew up in Colony, Oklahoma, among seven siblings: LaVerne, Thomas, Mary, Kenneth, Corrine, Nadine, and Franklin.

A 1948 graduate of Colony High School, Lena Dell, like the two sisters before her, was the president of her senior class. A woman of faith, she received a white Bible from the congregation as a gift, celebrating five years of perfect church attendance. She was a guard on the Colony High School basketball team at the same time her older sister, Nadine, was a forward. Lena Dell was a stalwart attendee of the Colony High School reunions until her later years when those she was most interested in seeing had passed away. Her favorites included visiting with Betty Lou Lowry at the school reunions and watching Wheel of Fortune and OU football on TV.

Lena Dell met her future husband, Curtis Shunkwiler, on a bus going to Colony. Their marriage in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 3, 1951, was blessed with three children, Curtis Allen Shunkwiler (wife: Paula) of Oklahoma City, Glendon Shunkwiler of Oklahoma City, and Pamela Hansen of Prosper, Texas.

After Curtis completed his service in the U.S. Air Force, he and Lena Dell settled down in Oklahoma City. Her work at Western Electric for 33 years provided a stable income and environment for the family.

Lena Dell was known for her hard work ethic and her love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A wonderful mother and friend, she was always there for those who needed her. This allowed her to be a loving matriarch of the Shunkwiler family, having seven grandchildren: JoLena Hansen, Seth Hansen, Cody Hansen, Neilan Shunkwiler (wife: Suyapa), Jennifer Smith (husband: Ryan), Christi Bell, and Rachel Bell. Further, she was a great-grandmother to Aiden Smith, Arlyn Smith, Aaden Drew, Richard McCraw, Kaylee McCraw, Geraldine Rodriguez, Desiree Shunkwiler, and Brooklyn Shunkwiler (on the way).

Lena Dell was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse, her siblings, and one grandson, Seth Hansen. She was the last living grandchild of John H. Seger, who in 1886 brought the Arapaho and Cheyenne to the southeast corner of their reservation, which was to become Colony and Washita County.