Huinker, Stella Frances (Tepesch) 1920-2020

HUINKER, BRADY, TEPESCH

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/1/2020 at 16:30:02

Stella “Sis” Frances Huinker, 99, of Monona, Iowa died, Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Center in Postville, Iowa. Sis was born December 23, 1920 to Fred and Celia (Brady) Tepesch in Waukon, Iowa. She graduated from Waukon High School.
Sis was united in marriage to Irvin Huinker on December 26, 1942 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri when Irvin was stationed in Kansas City. While he was in the service, Sis returned to Waukon and worked as a telephone operator. Upon Irvin’s return from service duty, she became a full time mother and homemaker for many years. Over the years, she enjoyed knitting, gardening, going shopping, looking for garage sales for “great buys” with her daughters, and watching golf. Sis was an avid card player and was always looking for a game. Spending time with her grandchildren was a top priority. When Sis and Irvin became “empty nesters” she used her love of gardening to work at the Monona Greenhouse for several years where she was able to do what she loved and also be with close friends. Summertime was a highlight for her as she and Irvin would go to their cabin in McGregor and spend time fishing, relaxing and hosting family events. Sis was an active member of the church, and a wonderful cook. She had a soft spot for dogs and cats, and grew especially fond of one of her “grand pups”, Murphy. It was a mutual attraction.
Surviving Sis are her children, Mary Lou (Jim) Henkes of Monona, Iowa, Ann (Ken) Keehner of Farmersburg, Iowa and Robert “Bob” (Renea) Huinker of Lawler, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Doralee Huinker of Monona, Iowa; seventeen grandchildren, Wendy Vance, Kevin Huinker, Eric Huinker, Ryan Huinker, Sara Harris, Beth Leichty, Theresa Henkes, Andy Henkes, Jon Henkes, Mike Henkes, Kyle Keehner, Pat Keehner, Brandon Keehner, Meghan Molumby, Kara Dietrich, Robin Caddell and Lindsey Allende; forty-one great-grandchildren; her sisters, Patricia Wepler of Waterloo, Iowa and Bernadette Lawlor of Northfield, Minnesota, and numerous nephews and nieces. She loved everyone the “mostest”.
Stella was preceded in death by her husband, Irvin Huinker on May 4, 1998; parents, Fred and Celia Tepesch; son, Richard “Dick” Huinker; brothers, Carl Tepesch, Tom Tepesch and Bill Tepesch; sisters, Janet Lawson, Agnes Kirkpatrick, Katherine Dohnalek, Dorothy Wiltgen and Sally Tepesch.
A Private Mass of Christian Burial will be held.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.