Lucille Velma Johnk, age 100, of Whiting, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the Burgess Hospital of Onawa, Iowa.
A Private Family Funeral Service will be held at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa. Committal Services will follow in the Heisler Cemetery of rural Mapleton, Iowa.
The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.armstrongfuneral.com.
Lucille Velma Johnk, the daughter of Ralph C. and Pearl M. (Sulsberger) Steinhoff, was born on February 13, 1924, in Oto, Iowa. She received her education in the Oto Community School District. When her schooling was completed, she helped her family care for her siblings before entering the work force. During World War II, Lucille moved to Chicago, Illinois and was a Rosie the Riveter assembling airplane parts.
Lucille married Carl Johnk and the couple was blessed with three sons: Karl “Fritz”, Jeff, and Willi. The couple operated a carnival business that traveled throughout the Midwest. They also operated the Pioneer Auto Museum in Murdo, South Dakota. They eventually moved back to the farm near Hornick, Iowa, where Lucille then worked in the wind charger industry before going back into the carnival business.
In the early 70’s, Lucille moved to Greenville, South Carolina where she owned a daycare business until her retirement. Not one to sit still, Lucille traveled the country in her 5th wheel. She enjoyed dancing, clogging, and sewing her own clothes. Most important to Lucille was her family. She treasured time spent with them. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Left to cherish her memory include her sons Karl “Fritz” (Terri) Johnk of Hornick, IA, Jeff (Carol) Johnk of Lakeville, MN and Willi (Joanne) Johnk of Donaldson, SC; 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; sister Shirley Giese of Glenwood, IA; sister-in-law Violet Steinhoff of Trenton, MO; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Ray (Frances), Clifford (Tiny), Orville “Bud” (Virginia), and Everett Steinhoff; sisters Thelma (Marvin) Steinbach and Evelyn “Toots” (Bernie) Evers.
