Blondina Grienke

Blondina Grienke, age 85, of Alta, Iowa died Sunday, May 31, 2015 in Cherokee, Iowa. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Alta. Visitation will take place Wednesday, June 3, 2015 from 5-8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Blondina Jean Bunney was born August 7, 1929 in Cherokee, Iowa the daughter of John and Beulah (Shaw) Bunney. She was baptized and confirmed at the Christian Church in Cherokee. She was raised on a farm near Cherokee and attended school in Cherokee and Larrabee. Blondina’s father, John, was in the creamery business and Blondina was a certified cream tester. Blondina met the love of her life, James Grienke, at the Roller Rink and Cobblestone in Storm Lake. They were united in marriage on November 30, 1947 in Cherokee. Together, they were blessed with eight children: Jean, Ellen, Claudina, Julie, Christine, Becky, Nancy, and Debbie. As a family they made their home in Alta in 1952. Blondina was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta where she enjoyed organizing the Easter breakfast. She was also a member of Alta Firettes and TOPS Club. Music was an important part of Blondina’s life. She loved yodeling, playing the piano and singing. Blondina was an excellent baker and great cook. She also enjoyed writing newspaper articles with car results from Buena Vista Speedway. Blondina was fond of country western music, cross-stitch, and watching wrestling on the television. Family was very important to Blondina and she took pride in managing the household while being active and involved in her daughters’ church and school activities. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 67 years, James Grienke of Alta, Iowa; daughters: Jean Sticken of Omaha, Nebraska; Ellen Wood of Alta, Iowa; Claudina Grienke of Alta, Iowa; Julie Fahr of Pierce, Nebraska; Chris (Clem) Ledoux of Alta, Iowa; Nancy (Scott) Teegardin of Alta, Iowa; Debbie Gilmer of Friend, Nebraska; grandchildren: Teri (Terry) Carstens, Stacia (Steven) Hershberger, Michelle Wood, Mike Wood, DuAnne (Curtis) Deremer, Denise (Bill) Pratt, Jim Fahr, Allison (Ryan) Diischer, Zachary and Adam Teegardin, Joseph, Lukas and Abigail Gilmer; great grandchildren: Tyra and Tyler Carstens, Alec and Ethan Hershberger, Chloe Wood, Benjamin, Emily and Thomas Pratt, Brayton, Kamdyn, Korbyn, and Griffynn Diischer; sister, June (Burdette) Dilocker of Cherokee, Iowa; extended family and many friends. Blondina was preceded in death by her parents, John and Beulah Bunney; daughter, Becky Grienke; son-in-law, Duane Fahr; brother, Edwin Bunney; and two sisters: Lucille Gravenish and Beverly Stieneke.

Blondina Grienke

August 7, 1929 - May 31, 2015