Kenneth P. Huinker 2009-1932

EINCK, VRBA, HUINKER, ELLICKSON, GASKILL, KUENNEN, BRUESS

Posted By: Nancy (email)
Date: 7/21/2009 at 19:25:11

Kenneth P. Huinker, 77, of Calmar, Iowa, died Friday, July 3, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Rev. Donald Hawes on Tuesday, July 7, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Calmar.

Interment was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Ken's grandchildren. Graveside military rites were conducted by Halverson-Giesen American Legion Post 266 of Calmar.

Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel, of Calmar was in charge of the arrangements.

Kenneth Paul Huinker, son of Leo and Mathilda (Einck) Huinker, was born May 9, 1932, on the family farm near Festina.

He attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Festina and helped on the family farm.

At the age of 17, he was drafted to play baseball for the Chicago White Sox. He played for a short time before returning to Festina.

On Oct. 1, 1953, Ken married Aileen Vrba at St. John's Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson.

Together they farmed until Ken was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served in the Korean Conflict.

After Ken's discharge from the service, the Huinkers continued to farm south of Calmar for many years, retiring in 1994.

In recent years, due to Ken's declining health, they lived in West Union, Vennejhem in Decorah, and the last two years in assisted living at Aase Haugen Nursing Home in Decorah.

Ken was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Linus Huinker; and two nieces.

Ken's survivors include his wife, Aileen Huinker of Decorah; three daughters, Darla (Glen) Ellickson of Decorah, DeAnn Huinker of Milwaukee, Wis., and Debra (John) Huinker Gaskill of Cedar Rapids; two sons, Dave (Darcy) Huinker of Decorah and Dale Huinker of Reedsburg, Wis.; 11 grandchildren; two sisters, Shirley Kuennen of Ossian and Irene Bruess of Protivin; a brother, Art (Ann) Huinker of Peosta; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews.

Fayette County Union - 7 July 2009