Annemarie Konkle

Annemarie (Himmel) Konkle, 96, of Elkhart, passed away on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart. She was born in Greiz, Germany, on Aug. 30, 1926, to the late Alexander and Lisbeth (Wiedemann) Himmel.

Annemarie is also preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Konkle Sr. She is survived by her children, Leonard (Oli) Konkle Jr. and Lizabeth Konkle and brothers, Benno (Sylvia) Himmel and Hans Himmel.

Cremation will take place at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. in Elkhart. A memorial service for Annemarie will be held at the Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall at a later date.

Annemarie was a hard worker, kind woman, and loving mother. After immigrating from Leipzig, Germany, to the United States, she missed the food, customs, and traditions. She saw that many other immigrants from Germany also missed these experiences as well. From here she created the Himmel Haus which has been open and thriving in Elkhart for over 50 years. Annemarie enjoyed getting to know her many customers and greeted them with the same hospitable and caring manner as she would with any guest that came into her home.

Family was always her first priority. She enjoyed spending time with her children and taught them the importance of their European heritage. If Annemarie ever had something, she would make sure that you had some of it; she was always hospitable and welcoming to everyone.

Annemarie faithfully attended the Kingdom Hall in Elkhart for many years, finding comfort in the words of Jehovah. In her spare time, she enjoyed being by the water, gardening and taking care of her pets. Annemarie will be greatly missed by her loving family and her community.