Elberta Huinker

Elberta Agnes Huinker, 84, of Calmar, Iowa, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on Thursday, October 12, 2017. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar with Rev. Robert Gross presiding. The Rite of Committal will be celebrated in the church cemetery following the Mass.Please join us in celebrating Elberta’s life. Visitation will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15 (Rosary at 1:30, Vigil Service at 6) at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel, 202 South Washington Street, Calmar, IA. Visitation will also be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Monday in the church. This beautiful faith filled woman is cherished by many—a loving wife, caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, relative and friend to many. She died one week after an injury from a fall. Elberta was born on Feb. 25, 1933 in Ossian, IA, daughter of Frank and Christina Moellers. She grew up on a farm near Ossian and helped deliver milk for the family business, Silver Springs Dairy. In her own documented words, Elberta said, “we lived a very family-centered life. Life was work-filled yet balanced with simple pleasures and family fun. [My parents] were very religious about church attendance but taught us so much by example about loving God and neighbor. For all the ethics and faith and goodness that our ancestors…passed on to us, I am very grateful.” She graduated from DeSales High School in 1950, attended Viterbo College in LaCrosse, WI and graduated from Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, IA in 1953. She taught grade school in Toledo and Ames IA.She married the love of her life, Dennis Huinker, on June 18, 1956 at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church in Ossian. They farmed near Decorah. Elberta was an integral part of the family business, Huinker Durocs, including managing the financial affairs. Elberta was passionate about creating family meal time with delicious homemade food that provided the setting for many joyful family occasions. As a couple they raised eight children and enjoyed spending time with friends and family, singing, dancing, playing cards, traveling, wintering in Arizona, and attending sporting and cultural events of their children and grandchildren.Elberta was active in her church and community by serving in multiple roles. She helped plan ecumenical church services, enjoyed singing in the church choir, was a Eucharistic Minister and lector. She was also a member of the Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters of America, Treasurer of the American Legion Auxiliary, and served on the Depot Outlet and Pork Producer Boards.She was both a life-long learner and teacher with many interests, talents and hobbies. She enjoyed book club, playing piano, writing, playing cards, cooking, baking and quilting. Hallmarks of her personality include her kindness, generosity, strength and resourcefulness. Elberta was a woman of excellence who lived a rich life, yet also lived by the mantra “everything in moderation.” She has had a positive impact on countless lives, and will be missed dearly.She is survived by her husband Dennis. Children: Wayne (Roxanne) Huinker, Decorah, IA; John (Ruth) Huinker, Decorah; Mike (Kim) Huinker, Decorah; Ann (Dennis) Tressel, Dubuque, IA; Ed Huinker, Decorah; Jeanie Sullivan (Jim Kircher), Iowa City, IA; Becky Huinker, Chicago, IL. Son-in-law: Thomas Timp, Dubuque, IA. Grandchildren: Julie (Drew) Rotschafer, Emily Huinker, Lisa (Jason) Rude, Lee (Kristy) Huinker, Jackie (Michael) Henning, Danielle (Noah) Balik, Steven (Courtney) Huinker, Hannah (John) Schroeher, Lydia (Brian) Black, Dane Huinker, Ben (Adrienne) Tressel, Elizabeth Tressel, Rex Huinker, Christina, Carley, Daniel and Claire Sullivan, Nolan, Alexander, Sydney and Samuel Timp. Great grandchildren: Jackson & Mason Huinker, Aunika & Tate Balik, Mara, Shea, Sloane & Evie Henning, Lauren & Ben Rotschafer, Nora & Tenley Burge, Landon & Riley Rude, Jack & Danial Schroeher, Levi & Will Black. Sister: Imogene Macal, Decorah; Brother and sisters-in-law: DeEtta Hemesath, Decorah; Gladys Elsbernd, Decorah; Dave & Martha Huinker Ames, IA; and Dorothy Huinker, Garner, IA, and many nieces and nephews. Elberta was preceded in death by her daughter: Kathleen Timp (Aug. 4, 2017); infant grandchild, Cory Huinker; parents: Frank & Christine Moellers; sister: Linda Moellers; brother: Sylvester (Virginia) Moellers. Father and mother-in-law: Edmund & Mathilda Huinker. Brothers and sisters-in-law: Paul (Georgina) Huinker, Leona (Jim) Watt, Alvin Huinker, Alphonse Hemesath, Roger Elsbernd and Roy Macal.