Obituary of Maria Kartel

Maria Kartel, 65, of Dyersville, Iowa died Sunday, September 11, 2011 from Cancer, at University of Iowa Hospitals Clinics in Iowa City. Maria was born February 24, 1946, in Gravina, Italy, the daughter of Nicola and Anna (Tota) Fracchiolla. She married Kevin Kartel on July 1st, 1982. Maria worked in her brother's high fashion business in Milan, Italy as the lead seamstress. She joined the Unification Church in Milan in 1977. In subsequent years she did missionary work in England and then came to the United States in 1980. She was engaged to Kevin Kartel in December 1980 and Blessed in Holy Marriage on July 1st, 1982 in Madison Square Garden New York, NY with 2075 couples - many of them international marriages. Kevin & Maria moved back to Dyersville - Kevin's hometown in July 1992. Maria was passionate about faith and family. For 14 years, she organized a local community celebration in Dyersville, celebrating National Parent's Day - a new federal holiday on the 4th Sunday of every July signed into law by President Clinton in 1994. Her life was lived in service and love for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Survivors include her husband, Kevin, a daughter, Christina, both of Dyersville; 4 brothers: Luigi (Maria), Michele (Rosa), Franco (Angela) and Antonio (Giovani) Fracchiolla, all near Milan, Italy; her mother-in-law, Kathleen Krapfl of Dyersville, and brothers-and-sisters -in-law: Keith (Becky) Krapfl of Dubuque, Kathy (Kerry) Trimble of Waterloo, Vicky (Wayne) Wessels of Manchester, Tammy (Jeff) Osterhaus, Lisa Krapfl, Kim (Karl) Loeffelholz, Karri Krapfl, Jennifer (Steve) Wessels, all of Dyersville, Jackie (Glen) Naber of Eldridge, and many aunts, uncles, nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 infant siblings; father-in-law, Roy Krapfl; 2 brothers-in-law: Dean and Dale Krapfl. Flowers may be sent to the Kramer Funeral Home at 103 5th St. SE Dyersville, IA 52040. Memorials may be sent in care of the family at P.O. Box 102 Dyersville, IA 52040