Community of Earling, Iowa, Grieves the Heartbreaking Loss of Theresa Kenkel, 32
It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we announce the sudden and tragic passing of Theresa Kenkel, age 32, of Earling, Iowa, whose life was unexpectedly cut short this week. Her passing has left an unfillable void in the lives of her family, friends, and the tight-knit community she called home.
Born on June 5, 1993, Theresa Lynn Kenkel was a proud daughter of Shelby County, a radiant soul whose kindness, unwavering compassion, and tireless devotion to others defined her every step. Her death, still shrouded in the shock of its abruptness, has sent ripples of sorrow through the region, as friends, neighbors, and loved ones grapple with the immeasurable pain of losing someone so young, vibrant, and full of life.
Theresa’s roots in Earling ran deep. She was a graduate of Harlan Community High School, where she stood out not only for her academic diligence but for her willingness to extend a helping hand to others—classmates, teachers, and community members alike. Her natural inclination toward service and care led her to pursue a career in health care, eventually earning her nursing degree from Des Moines Area Community College.
Over the years, Theresa worked in several health care settings across western Iowa, offering comfort, care, and clinical expertise to those in need. Patients often remembered her for her soothing presence and reassuring smile—one that could calm anxieties and bring peace even in the most difficult moments. Colleagues frequently described her as dedicated, reliable, and deeply empathetic—traits that set her apart in both her profession and her everyday life.
But Theresa’s legacy extends far beyond her professional accomplishments. She was a loving daughter, a fiercely loyal sister, a fun and doting aunt, and a friend who was always just a call away. She had an uncanny ability to remember birthdays, lend her ear without judgment, and show up—always—with a casserole, a laugh, or a hug just when someone needed it most.
Theresa had a deep love for the simple pleasures in life—Sunday drives through the countryside, family barbecues, tending to her flowerbeds, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the fall. She was also an active parishioner at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, where her faith anchored her and guided her actions in service to others.
News of Theresa’s passing has left her loved ones stunned and broken-hearted. In a statement released by her family, they expressed their devastation:
“We are completely heartbroken. Theresa was the glue in our family—the one who kept us grounded, the one who always showed up. She had a heart of gold, and her loss is immeasurable.”
In the days since her passing, tributes have poured in from across Shelby County and beyond. Friends, former classmates, and co-workers have filled social media with memories and photographs—of Theresa at family weddings, volunteering at local events, hiking the Loess Hills, and holding her nieces and nephews close with that familiar twinkle in her eye.
A candlelight vigil in Theresa’s memory will be held on Friday evening at the Earling City Park. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, August 4, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with visitation the evening prior at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan. All who knew and loved Theresa are invited to attend, reflect, and honor a life that, while far too brief, was extraordinarily well-lived.
In lieu of flowers, the Kenkel family has asked for donations to be made to the Iowa Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an organization Theresa supported and believed in deeply.
As the community of Earling mourns, it also remembers the incredible impact of Theresa Kenkel—a woman whose warmth, laughter, and loving spirit lifted all who knew her. Though her physical presence is gone, her memory lives on in countless lives she touched, and in every act of kindness done in her name.