Huinker, David and Martha (Weselmann)

(Martha E. Weselmann Huinker)

Oak Ridge Farm, 2021 Co Rd W42, Decorah, IA is a family owned farm operated by David Lawrence and Martha Elizabeth (Weselmann) Huinker. The original farm was purchased from Henry and Rosella Mork in 1970 and consisted of 160 acres. In 1987 an additional 160 acres was purchased from Curtis and Wilma Lien. Another 120 acres adjoining the home farm was purchased in 1989 and is owned by their son, Clark.

The Huinkers raise Hampshsire, Yorkshire and F1 hogs and Clark’s Simmental cattle as well as crops.

Dave and Martha were married 27 Jun 1959 in the Calmar Lutheran Church. They spent the next 2 years in the U S. Army living in Lawton, OK where their daughter Zettawas born.

In 1961 Dave took a job as manager of the Iowa Swine Testing Station at Ames, IA. The test station was owned by the Iowa Pork Producers and test data was used by Iowa State University. Dave built the station up to be the largest in the world testing 2400 hogs per year and going from 3 to 16 sales per year. Dave is a well-known swine judge and has judged many county, state and national shows.

Dave and Martha have 4 children: Zetta, Clark, Doreen and Karwvn. Zetta Martha was born  in Lawton, OK. She graduated from Ames High in 1978 and Iowa State University in 1982. She married Edward William Pilch from Naugatuck, CT16 Oct 1982. Ed is also a graduate of I.S.U. They have 2 children: Courtney Leah and Evan Samuei.

Clark David was born at Ames. He graduated from Thomas Roberts High School, Decorah in 1980 and I .S.U. School of Veterinary Medicine in May of 1988. He is affiliated with the Fairmont, MN Veterinary Clinic. Clark married Laura Smith of Maxwell, IA on 22 Apr 1989 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Ames. Laura has a BS from I.S.U. in Computer Science. They have 2 children: Jacob Clark and Cole Tyler.

Doreen Sue was born  in Ames. She graduated from Thomas Roberts High School in 1984 and received a BS in Animal Science from I.S.U. in 1988 and a Masters Degree in Meat Science from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in 1992. In Sep 1995 she began an internship to become a dietician. Doreen married Tracy Merill Blackmer 14 Jul 1990 at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church rural Decorah. Tracy received a BS from I.S.U., a Masters Degree and PhD in Agronomy from the University of Nebraska. Lincoln, NE in 1995.

Karwvn Colene was born in Ames and graduated from Thomas Roberts High School, Decorah in 1990. She received a BSfrom I.S.U. in Horticulture in May 1994. On 21 Aug 1995 she returned to I.S.U. to pursue a degree in Ag Studies.

Dave has been active in many organizations both before and after their move to Decorah in 1979. While in Ames he served on the Purebred Swine Council, was President of the National Swine Improvement Assn., a 4-H leader and was named an Honorary Master Pork Producer.

Since moving to Decorah he has served on the 4-H Youth Committee twice, Decorah Community School Board, Pres, of Winneshiek Co. Pork Producers, Iowa Swine Testing Station Board, Iowa State Fair Board for 16 years and served as President for 3 years.

Martha has spent her married life as a homemaker and mother. She has been an active member of the Story and Winneshiek Co. Iowa Porkettes serving as State Treasurer twice, Washington Prairie Lutheran Church choir, WELCA, Northeast Iowa Quilters Guild, Minowa Rug Krafters Guild (treasurer), co-president and treasurer of the Upper Iowa River Cluster 8 of the Northeast Iowa Synod of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, volunteers at 4-H events, Aase Haugen Homes and Vesterheim Museum. She also makes stocking caps for the local hospital, preemie clothes and quilts for the University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City, IA., and enjoys all kinds of handwork.

Huinker, Dennis and Elberta (Moellers)

(Dennis and Elberta Huinker)

Dennis Frank Huinker was born on a farm near Festina, IA. He is the son of Edmund S. Huinker born 4 Feb 1895 and Matilda Pitzenberger born 2 Nov 1892. Both parents were born near Festina, IA.

E.S., as Edmund was known, married Matilda 22 Feb 1916 at Festina. To their union was born Paul, Leone, Alvin, De Etta, Dennis, Gladys and David.

The family lived on a farm near Festina and in 1929 moved to a farm in Springfield Towhship 4 miles northeast of Calmar, IA. Like many other families they struggled to hold on to the farm during the Great Depression.

Elberta and Dennis Huinker

The family attended St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar. The children attended St. Aloysius grade school and in inclement weather attended a rural school in the township. They also attended Calmar High School.

E.S. was very interested in raising Poland China purebred hogs and showed at many county and state fairs. E.S. and Matilda retired in 1956 and moved to an acreage near Cresco, IA. Ed died 21 Dec 1963 and Matilda died 9 Feb 1976. Both are buried at Calvary Cemetery in Cresco.