Sue Winnike, 66, of West Point, Iowa, passed peacefully at 8:15 a.m. Thursday, January 17, 2019, at her home surrounded by love and family.
Born on September 13, 1952, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Anna Mae (Brown) Bentler. On June 16, 1973, she married Robert Winnike, Jr. at St. James the Less Catholic Church in St. Paul, Iowa.
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She was preceded in death by her father: Henry Bentler; sister: Kathleen Scharpman; nephew: Michael Burke; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law: Robert and Bernice Winnike.
She graduated from Marquette Catholic High School in 1970. Sue was a member of St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa, where she was a Eucharistic Minister, and served on the Parish Council and Fall Festival Committee. She was a dedicated employee of Pilot Grove Savings Bank for 45 years, during which time she was a friendly, sought after face in the West Point office and Director of the Heritage Club. She loved her job and the people she worked with. Her time as the Heritage Club Director inspired her world travels after her retirement in 2015. Sue was a longtime resident of West Point, Iowa and served her community on the West Point Community Club and West Point Development Council. She especially enjoyed her time in the new library with her book club. In recent years, Sue and Bob spent several winter months in sunny Arizona, making new friends and acquiring a love for hiking and pickleball.
Sue’s heart knew no bounds and she loved spending time with her husband traveling the world, and with her children and grandchildren. She was never without a smile and word of hello for anyone in her community. Sue was a dedicated wife and mother. Sue and Bob were always with their children through their many activities at Marquette, to years of fun in Iowa City, and later, in their many visits to everyone across the country. As grandkids arrived, she was rarely seen without one in her arms and several more climbing all over her; Nana was the Winnike family celebrity! Her open arms and heart will be sorely missed by all who knew her: to know Sue was to love her and feel loved in return.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2019, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, Iowa. A parish Rosary will be recited at St. Mary of the Assumpion Catholic Church in West Point at 2:00 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service will be held at the church at 4:00 p.m. that afternoon.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2019, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point with Father Dennis Hoffman and Father Mpanda Apo as Con-Celebrants.
Burial will be at a later date at Calvary Cemetery in West Point.
Memorials have been established in her memory to the West Point Public Library or Lee County Hospice Services.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. On-line condolences to the family may be made at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
