William “Bill” Joseph Huinker, Jr.

William “Bill” Joseph Huinker, Jr. was born on April 29, 1931, in Seneca, Wisconsin to William J. and Ida Anna (Einck) Huinker. At the age of 10 months, he moved with his family to the Ossian/Festina area, where he spent his younger years. He graduated eighth grade from St. Francis de Sales School. Since his father died the year before, he then stayed home and farmed the rented farm.

On April 28, 1958, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Burbach at SS. Philip and James Catholic Church in St. James, Nebraska. To this union nine children were born.

They spent 5 years farming at Ossian and in 1962 they bought a farm in Postville and moved there in 1963.

Bill’s life was his Faith, Family and Farming. He was an active member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church. A member of the Postville Co-Op, J.C.’s and Pleasant Valley Sports Club. In 1965, he was named Outstanding Young Farmer and through the years he received many other farming awards. He enjoyed playing softball, dancing, bowling and golf. He spent many, many hours on the bleachers watching his children and grandchildren play sports, and then from his recliner and iPad, keeping track of his younger grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving Bill is his wife, Phyllis of nearly 66 years; his children, William T. Huinker III, Jeffrey (Judy) Huinker, Brian Huinker, Lori (Gary) Wollner, Lisa (David) Hughes, Jon (Emily) Huinker, Doug (Mary) Huinker; grandchildren, Kristin (Carl) Dewese, Katelyn (Matt) Penissi, Sarah Huinker, Hannah Huinker, Nikki (Curt) Kallal, Brandi (Nolan) Pattee, Kendal (Michelle) Huinker, Jessica (Sean) Graddy, Breana (Joey) Saba, Hallie (Kevin) Houts, Molly (Will Gress) Wollner, Luke (Madison) Hughes, Blake (Keegan Cassady) Hughes, Makenna Hughes, Gabe Huinker, Maddie Huinker, Cooper Huinker and Brooke Huinker; great-grandchildren, Charlie, Dylan, Aidan, Avery, Dakota, Sadi, Dalton, Dawson, Stevi, Vincent, Garrett, Lander, Roland, Bodi, Eloise, Thea and Wyndham. Also survived by sister, JoAnn Wenthold; brother, Tom (Joyce) Huinker; brother-in-law, Alex Reicks and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his children, Lynn Marie and a baby boy; his parents; brothers, Ralph, Donald, Charles (Edna); sisters, Alice (Neal) Reicks, Lillian (Adrian) Hageman, Catherine (Iraneaus) Moellers, Grace (Eugene) Reicks, Luella Reicks, Eunice (Darrel) Bushman; brother-in-law, Francis Wenthold; in-laws: James Burbach, Kenny Burbach, Elaine and Don Hochstein, Alice and Clovis Wienandt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bill’s honor may be sent to St Croix Hospice, Postville Ambulance or St Bridget Catholic Church.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 4-7 pm at St. Bridget Catholic Church, Postville, Iowa and one hour before Mass at the church on Monday.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am Monday, January 29, 2024 at St. Bridget Catholic Church, Postville, Iowa with Rev. Martin Coolidge as the Celebrant.

Inurnment at Postville Cemetery, Postville, Iowa will be at a later date.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.

Click here to visit the Schutte-Grau Funeral Home website.