Frank W. Gunnink 1933-2012

RIKKERS GUNNINK KOEL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/19/2012 at 12:56:18

Sioux City Journal
July 17, 2012

Frank W. Gunnink, 79, of Sioux City died Sunday, July 15, 2012, at a Sioux City hospital, with his family at his side, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Matthew Miller officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. followed by a Masonic service, at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Frank was born on Jan. 4, 1933, in Hull, Iowa, to Bill and Winnie (Rikkers) Gunnink. He graduated from Hull High School and went on to graduate from Northwestern Community College. He was a member of the 1951 JNC state champion basketball team. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. He was stationed in Germany as a radio operator and attained the rank of sergeant.

On his return home, he went to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, working as a lineman. He then worked in cross bar tandem operations. He retired after 42 years in 1994.

Frank married Darlene Koel in 1958 and was blessed with four sons. He married Sandra Blumer in 1997.

He had been a member of First Presbyterian Church for 50 years, serving as a deacon and singing in the church choir. Frank joined the Abu Bekr Shrine in 1984 and was a 50-year member of the Triangle Blue Lodge. He loved singing with the Shrine Chanters and went to London twice with them to sing in the Welsh Men's Choir at Royal Albert Hall. Frank served on the board of Telco Triad Credit Union for many years. Frank enjoyed having family and friends around, especially his grandchildren. He was an avid reader and enjoyed World War II history.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra of Sioux City; four sons, Brian Gunnink and his wife, Sue of Clive, Iowa, Galen Gunnink of Sioux City, Darin Gunnink and his wife, Jolene of O'Fallon, Ill., and Jason Gunnink and his wife, Susan of Arlington, Va.; stepdaughters, Debbie Van Roekel and her husband, Rick of Alton, Iowa, and Dee Armbright and her husband, Bob of Riverland Estates, S.D.; a stepson, Daniel Blumer and his wife, Trish of Sioux City; two brothers and their wives, Norman and Esther Gunnink of Boone, Iowa, and Elwin and Millie Gunnink of Mankato, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Esther and Ruby; and two brothers, Richard and Harry.

Pallbearers will be Brian, Galen, Darin, Jason and Zeke Gunnink, and Bruce Townsend.

A memorial will be established in Frank's name.