Eileen R. Newkirk

Eileen R. Newkirk, age 95, of Alta, Iowa died Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Accura Healthcare of Aurelia. Funeral services will take place Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alta. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Alta. Visitation will be held Friday, January 23, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in ALTA. Memorials may be directed to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63141 or Cherokee Regional Hospice, 212 E. Bow Drive, Cherokee, Iowa 51012. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Alta is in charge of the arrangements. Eileen Ruth Newkirk was born February 23, 1930 in Iowa to Guy and Dorothy (Mathey) Lind. Eileen was a part of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alta, Iowa. She attended the University of Northern Iowa and earned a degree in teaching. Eileen taught country school near Burnside, Iowa. On June 4, 1950, Eileen was united in marriage to Mervin Newkirk at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa. They were blessed with five children: Michael, Lisa, Carmen, Melinda, and Sarah. Eileen was active in the Ladies Aid and Altar Guild at the St. Paul Lutheran Church. Eileen loved photography, traveling, gardening and reading. Family was very important to Eileen and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Those left to cherish her memories are her children: Michael Newkirk of Alta, Iowa; Lisa (Larry Roorda) Lawrence of Paullina, Iowa; Carmen (Dan) Cameron of Alta, Iowa; Melinda Torrez of Leavenworth, Kansas; and Sarah McClure of Nevada, Iowa; brother, Terrill (Doris) Lind; grandchildren: Angel (Rick) Penning; Amber Schreck (Aaron Fiddelke); Tanner Lawrence (Jenni Katich); Bethany (Adam) Reiss; Emily (Thomas) Olive; Cody (Meagan) Cameron; Noah (Nalopa) Hansen; Elijah (Dawn) Hansen; great-grandchildren: Tyler and Ella Lawrence; Kayla (Dalton) Grove; Abby Schreck; Taylor (Katie) Reiss; Caleb (Cassie) Reiss; Seth Reiss (Gracey); Alexandra Samson (Clayton); Isaiah Hansen; Selah and Silas Hansen; Evelyn Olive; Emmett Alafa and Cooper Cameron; great-great-grandchild: Savannah Reiss and Eleanor Reiss; extended family and friends. Eileen is preceded in death by her parents, Guy and Dorothy Lind; husband, Mervin Newkirk; son-in-law, Stephen Torrez; grandsons: Jason Cameron, Levi Lawrence and Austin Lawrence; many brothers and sisters-in-law.

Eileen R. Newkirk

February 23, 1930 - January 21, 2026