Bruess, Irene Caroline (Huinker) 1929 - 2013

BRUESS, HUINKER, EINCK, REISECK, RYAN, HANSMEIER, LUKES, SOUKUP, BEHR, KUENNEN, LECHTENBERG, LENSING, SULLIVAN, BULLERMAN, FRANZEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/2/2014 at 17:50:57

Irene Bruess, 84, of Protivin, IA passed away Friday, December 27, 2013 at home following a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 30, 2013 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Father Nick March officiating. Burial will be held at Holy Trinity Cemetery Protivin. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 29, 2013, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home 123 North Main St. in Protivin, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.

Irene Caroline Huinker was born on April 10th, 1929 to Leo & Mathilda (Einck) Huinker in Festina Iowa. She attended school in Festina and then helped out on the farm while also babysitting in the neighborhood.

On November 22nd, 1949 she was united in marriage to Art Bruess at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Festina Iowa.

Art & Irene farmed west of Protivin until 1964. They started Art’s Milling Service that same year and moved their family to Protivin in 1965. Irene worked in the office until 1979. She was an active member of the Rosary Society and American Legion Auxiliary, holding many offices and was also a Cub Scout leader. She enjoyed sharing her talents of quilting, sewing, gardening and baking her famous rohlicky and kolaches. She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren’s sporting events. Irene was an avid fan of all sports. She always enjoyed her ladies day at the South Winn Country Club and playing cards uptown with her friends.

Irene was survived by nine children: Donna (Doug) Reiseck of Waterloo, Diane Sullivan, Kathy (Dale) Ryan, Jan Hansmeier, Connie (Keith) Lukes, Larry (Diane) Bruess, Randy (Zita) Bruess, all of Protivin, Betty (Doug) Soukup of Calmar, Cindy (Ed) Behr of Mason City, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. One sister, Shirley Kuennen, one brother, Art (Ann) Huinker, two sister in laws, Lori Huinker and Aileen Huinker; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Gus Lechtenberg, LaVerne Bruess, Arlene (Steve) Lensing, Clarence (Mary Lou) Bruess.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Art; one son, Lawrence John in infancy, one daughter, Susan Bruess; one son-in-law, Bill Sullivan; her parents; two brothers, Linus and Kenneth Huinker; mother and father-in-law, John and Caroline Bruess; brother-in-law Al Kuennen; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Alice (Al) Bullerman, Lucille Lechtenberg, Cornell, Don (Evelyn), Jim (Betty) Bruess, Wilma (Stanley) Franzen, and John Bruess.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Source: Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home database

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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