Rita Humpal

Rita Humpal, age 86, of Decorah, IA died August 14, 2013 at the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 19, 2013 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, IA Rev. Donald Hawes presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 18, at the Balik Funeral Home in Spillville, IA. There will be a Rosary at 4:00 p.m. There will also be visitation at the church after 10:00 a.m. on Monday. Rita Ann (Luzum) Humpal was born June 2, 1927, the daughter of William and Leona (Schissel) Luzum. Rita was baptized, received First Holy Communion & was Confirmed at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar. She attended St. Aloysius Elementary Catholic School for 8 yrs. Rita married Rudolph Humpal September 16, 1947 at St. Aloysius Church in Calmar. To this union seven children were born. Rudolph & Rita farmed for over 40 years near Ridgeway until they moved to Decorah in 1992. Rita worked part time at Wapsie Produce and after moving to Decorah she worked at Oneota Care Facility. Rita & Rudy shared a love of dancing and were regulars at the Inwood Ballroom and enjoyed their many Polka Trips to Gibbon, MN with friends. Rita enjoyed baking kolaches, quilting, playing cards, golfing, bowling, and especially spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Rita is survived by seven children: Judy (Herbert) Kleve of Calmar, IA; Ronald (Karlene) Humpal of Decorah, IA; Thomas (Jeri) Humpal of Ridgeway, IA; Patricia (Kevin) Vannett of Mandan, ND; Eugene Humpal (special friend, Denise Drenth) of Calmar, IA; Nancy (Robert) Gehling of Calmar, IA; and Pamela (Darryl) Holien of Brooklyn Park, MN. Eighteen grandchildren and step grandchildren: Shawn (Kendra), Holly, Nicole & Mark Kleve, Terri (Lee) Holthaus, Ronda Humpal, Stacy (Shawn) Kleppe, Stephanie (Randy) Hemker, Jill (Heath) Hesse, Christi, Ben & Elizabeth Olesen, Trevor & Matthew Vannett, Brandi (TJ) Schissel, Mike (Allanda) Gehling, Steven Gehling and Matthew Holien. Fourteen great grandchildren: Christian & Karissa Kleve, Brittany & Brennan Holthaus, Dimitri Humpal-Griffin, Cayden & Cale Kleppe, Sid Hesse, Jenna & Jameson Schissel, Emaleigh & Isabelle Gehling and Drake & Paige Hemker. Brothers and sisters: Arnold (Irma) Luzum of St. Lucas, IA, Florence Hackman of Decorah, IA, Vic Luzum of Decorah, IA, Francis Luzum of Cedar Rapids, IA, Joan (George) McCusker of Overland Park, KS, Monica (Tony) Steinlage of Decorah, IA, Bill (Jan) Luzum of Benson, MN, and James (Arlene) Luzum of Rosemount, MN. Sisters-in-law: Joann Luzum of Calmar, IA, Dorothy Luzum, Denver, CO. Brother-in-law: Stanley (Kay) Humpal, Decorah, IA. Rita was preceded in death by her husband: Rudy, March 14, 2012, parents: William and Leona Luzum, three brothers: Clarence Luzum, Leo (Darlene) Luzum and Paul Luzum, sister; Loretta Collins, In-laws: Othmar Hackman, Herman Steinlage, Esther Luzum, Kara Luzum. Four brothers-in-law and their spouses: William (Emma) Humpal, Adolph (Ludmilla) Humpal, Paul (Rose) Humpal and Robert Humpal.