IRMA THUENTE

Thursday, April 28, 2016 2:55 pm

Irma Thuente, 91, of Festina, died Friday, April 22, 2016 at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian.
Irma Barbara (Winter) Thuente was born on July 4, 1924 the daughter of John and Philomena “Minnie” (Hackman) Winter in St. Lucas, Iowa.  She attended St. Lukes Catholic School.  When she was young she worked for area farm families taking care of kids and doing household chores.  On April 18, 1944, she was united in marriage to Virgil Thuente Sr. at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa. Together they farmed near Fort Atkinson. In 1976, they moved to Festina.  Irma catered for area weddings and also cooked at Oneota Golf Course in Decorah and the Warrior Inn in Calmar. Irma was known for her famous potato salad. She enjoyed embroidering, baking, dancing, cooking, and playing cards. Above all, she especially loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Irma was a member of Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina.
Irma is survived by her six children: Norma (Gary) Eckhardt of West Union, Merle (Donna) Thuente of Calmar, Vern (Sandy) Thuente of Decorah, IA; Doralee Thuente of New Hope, Minn., Virgil (Joanne) Thuente, Jr., of Decorah, John (Sharon) Thuente of Fort Atkinson; 11 grandchildren: Paula Prescott, Terry Goza, Tamara (Grady Murphy) Melde, Vicki (Tony) Daugherty, Wade Thuente, Tim (Kris) Thuente, Tyler Thuente, Emily Thuente, Eric (Amy) Thuente, Nicole (Lloyd) Kuennen and Marcus (fiancé, Sarah McCallister) Thuente; 16 great grandchildren: Colton and Landon, Goza, Joshua and Justin Melde, Evan and Blake Daugherty, Hannah Thuente, Lindsey, Hailey and Gavin Thuente, Evan, Lila and Jack Thuente and Aiden, Colin and Parker Kuennen; two sisters: Leona Bullerman of Decorah, and Alma Ameling, Hawkeye; along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; five sisters-in-law: Mary Lou Winter of New Hampton, Lucille Holthaus of Ossian, Anita Tieskoetter of Ossian, Kathleen (Jim) Nelson of Cedar Rapids, and Rose Ann Gussy of Roselle, Ill.; four brothers-in-law: Joseph (Arlene) Thuente of Ackley, Ludger (Lynn) Thuente of Sterling, Ill., Sylvan (Connie) Thuente of Macon, Ga., and Marlin (Pat) Thuente of Scottsdale, Ariz.
Irma was preceded in death by her parents: John and Philomena “Minnie” (Hackman) Winter; her husband: Virgil Thuente Feb. 2, 2012; one daughter: Beverly Thuente on June 4, 2006; one granddaughter: Karla Thuente on Feb. 15, 1990; two brothers: Melvin Winter, Delbert (Ruby) Winter; her father-in-law and mother-in-law: Joseph and Edwina Thuente; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Arlene Thuente, Marie Thuente and Lambert (Lou) Thuente, Cletus Holthaus, Vincent Bullerman, Irvin Ameling and Alphonse Tieskoetter.
Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina. Officiating was The Rev. Robert Gross.
Mass servers were Justin Melde, Lindsey Thuente and Landon Goza. Jeanette Dietzenbach was organist, accompanying Dan Silhacek,  soloist, and the Our Lady of Seven Dolors Choir. Hymns included “Be Not Afraid,” “Ava Maria,” “We Remember,” “Goin Home” and “How Great Thou Art.” Offertory gift bearers were Vicki Daugherty, Nicole Kuennen and Emily Thuente. Lector was Pat Tekippe. Eucharistic ministers were John Thuente, Paula Prescott and Tamara Melde. Honorary casket bearers were Irma’s great-grandchildren. Casket bearers were Wade Thuente, Terry Goza, Tim Thuente, Eric Thuente, Marcus Thuente and Tyler Thuente. Interment was at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Cemetery, Festina, with Schluter-Balik Funeral Home French Chapel handling the arrangements.