Huinker, Aileen Ann (Vrba)1932 - 2014

HUINKER, VRBA, HAYEK, ELLICKSON, GASKILL, SMITH, HAQUE, SACHELI, KRAMER, PRASKA, KUENNEN, RICE, EINCK, BRUESS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/20/2014 at 16:39:08

Aileen Ann Huinker went home to be with her Lord, Tuesday March 18, 2014, after a long and courageous battle with progressive supra-nuclear palsy (PSP). Aileen was 81 years-old and spent her final days surrounded by family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 22, 2014, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 304 South Maryville Street, Calmar, IA, with Rev. Donald Hawes presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., Friday at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel, 202 South Washington, Calmar, IA, and also after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Saturday morning.

There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m., on Friday at the funeral home.

Aileen Ann (Vrba) Huinker was born to Adolph and Mayme (Hayek) Vrba on December 14, 1932 on the family farm near Fort Atkinson, IA. Aileen proudly graduated high school in Fort Atkinson, Iowa. At the young age of 14, she met the love of her life, Ken Huinker, a lanky, baseball playing, farm boy from Festina. From that very early age, Aileen and Ken were never apart. They married September 1, 1953, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. Aileen and Ken lived most of their lives together on a farm near Calmar.

Aileen was a receptionist for the dentist in Calmar before having children. Afterward, she worked at the Northeast Iowa Community College. Aileen was a member of the St. Aloysius Rosary Society, Catholic Order of Foresters, Catholic Daughters of America, and Winneshiek Medical Center Auxiliary.

Aileen and Ken loved their five children and adored their eleven grandchildren. They never missed an opportunity to jump in the car to drive to another event, be it sporting, music, school plays, or birthdays. They very much treasured their wonderful friends, with fond memories of card clubs, ball teams, and bus trips. Aileen was an avid flower gardener, loved to embroider, and was a daily walker until her knees slowed her down. Aileen had a genuine interest in all who graced her home and her house was constantly full of conversation and happiness. Times were most joyous when the whole family would descend for the holidays. We will never forget the hours (and hours) of card playing (often Euchre or 500), winning prizes (usually Avon), and eating non-ending supplies of delicious food. You were always welcome in her house of love and laughter.

Even in the last phases of her disease, though she could no longer speak, she had a light in her eyes. That spontaneous smirk, giggle, or burst into a belly laugh when something tickled her funny bone was always worth the wait. Even to the end, there was joy. She will be always loved and greatly missed.

Aileen is survived by her daughters: Darla (Glen) Ellickson, Decorah, IA; DeAnn Huinker, Milwaukee, WI; Debra (John) Huinker Gaskill, Cedar Rapids, IA. Sons: Dave (Darcy) Huinker, Decorah, IA; Dale (Blanche Smith) Huinker, Reedsburg, WI. Grandchildren: Trevor (Linnea) Huinker, Travis Huinker, Ian (fiancé, Sakinah Haque) Ellickson, Aubrey Ellickson, Chad Smith (friend, Courtney Sacheli, her son, Bryson), Justin Huinker, Bryce and Morgan Kramer, Kendra, Evan, and Cale Gaskill. Sister: Shirley (Joe) Praska, Elma, IA. Sisters- and brother-in-law: Shirley Kuennen, Ossian, IA; Lori Huinker, Festina, IA; Mary Rice, Tripoli, IA; Art (Ann) Huinker, Peosta, IA.

Aileen was preceded in death by her husband: Kenneth Huinker on July 3, 2009. Parents: Adolph and Mayme (Hayek) Vrba. Father-in-law and mother-in-law: Leo and Mathilda (Einck) Huinker. Brother: Roger Vrba. Sister-in-law and brothers-in-law: Irene and Art Bruess, Linus Huinker, Al Kuennen, and Larry Rice. Two nieces: Susie Bruess and Tammy Huinker.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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