Agnes Julianna (Beck) (Gronquist) Kindel

Agnes Julianna (Beck) (Gronquist) Kindel died June 3, 2012, at Villa Marina Nursing Home, in Superior, where she had resided for 3 years.

Agnes was born Feb. 1, 1924, in Maple to Emma Beck and Isaac Mickila.

Emma married Sam Gronquist in 1929, who adopted Agnes as his own daughter. Agnes was very close to her grandmother, Ann Beck, who raised her for the first 10 years of her life. Agnes moved from Maple to Superior as a child, where she lived until age 18. She then moved to Seattle, Wash. with $20 in her pocket to work at Boeing and Lockheed Aircraft during World War II, working as a riveter on B-17 and B19 bombers from 1942 to 1944. She married Lloyd Kindel of Superior on July 24, 1943. He was in the Army, stationed in California before being sent overseas for the European campaign. Agnes returned to Superior in 1944, where she remained for the rest of her life.

Agnes worked at many jobs throughout her life, including the Hotel Superior, Gitchinadji Club, Black Cat Café, Uptown Motel, Bayview Motel, and Jeno’s Inc. She and Lloyd worked hard to provide for their family.

In her late 60s, Agnes became aware of three half-siblings, who she contacted and met in 1991. These people, the late Oliver Mickila, Lillian Joiner, and Vivian Anderson, helped Agnes answer questions she had about the father she never knew, and established relationships she enjoyed for several years.

Agnes was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Lloyd Kindel; her mother, Emma Beck Gronquist; her stepfather, Sam Gronquist; half-brother, Cliff Gronquist (Melba); as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is survived by her four children, Sherry Kindel (Pete Aperges), Salt Lake City, Utah, Rebecca Cashin, Duluth, Kathy Kindel and Jeff Kindel, Superior. She is also survived by two half-brothers, Harold Gronquist (MaryAnn) and Howard Gronquist (Bonnie), South Range. Agnes has four grandchildren, Angela McMinn, Entiat, Wash., Justin McMinn, Port Townsend, Wash., John Cashin (Erika), Apple Valley, Minn. and Stefani Wiley (Dan), St. Paul, Minn., as well as three great grandchildren.

Agnes was a gentle soul, who loved roses, the spring and summer months, and embroidering before her eyesight declined. She helped anyone who needed assistance, whether it was by giving time, food, furniture, or anything else she had to give. She would gladly go without something to help someone else live a little better. She loved her family unconditionally, and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will take place at the Cremation Society of Minnesota 3-5 p.m. Saturday June 9. In lieu of flowers, please do something nice for someone who needs a helping hand. It’s what she would’ve wanted.

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