Doralee Huinker passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body dementia. Even after her ability to speak had largely been taken from her, she still had that snarky little spark those of you who knew her can attest to and was able to give you a chuckle with just a nod and an eye roll.
Born on January 22, 1947 to Everett and Dora Bollman, Doralee was the oldest daughter and the third of six children. She was a farm girl through and through and even as she approached the end of her life, Doralee often remarked about how she wanted to buy a little farmhouse in the country where she could listen to the birds and tend to her flowers and vegetable garden.
Doralee was married to the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Huinker on September 29, 1965. Over the course of 53 years of marriage, they loved to travel the world, play golf with their friends, fish the Mississippi, go to church on Saturday night and sit in the exact same spot no matter what (and make a note to get there earlier next week if someone beat them to it), followed by a trip to the White Springs, Black Angus (if it was a special night), or maybe the boat buffet. And during the Christmas season, without fail, weekly shopping trips to La Crosse.
It’s fitting she passed during the Christmas season, her absolute favorite time of year. Whether it was making her world famous fudge, light and airy divinity, melt in your mouth sugar cookies, or her irresistible Chex mix, she was sure to have plenty for all to enjoy. If you ever had her cinnamon rolls with peanut butter frosting, you know true enjoyment on a different level. Multiple fully decorated and themed trees adorned the house, every Santa that ever found its way to the store clearance shelves was set up in every room, and after Dick passed in 2018, cardinals everywhere. And don’t forget to save the bows on your Christmas presents! Those can be reused ya know!
Doralee was a saver of things. And by things…we mean EVERY THING. In particular she saved every scrap of cloth she could find because it might make for a great Barbie doll skirt, blouse, or her specialty wedding dresses she’d sell during Christmas to be given as gifts.
Later on in life, she saved nearly every adult coloring page she completed. Both before and after she entered various levels of skilled care, she would spend hours intricately coloring, shading, and touching up pictures of every scene imaginable.
Dick and Doralee were blessed with four children – Wendy Vance (husband Pat) of Delhi, Kevin Huinker (partner Jackie Schiffler) of Monona, Eric Huinker (wife Jennifer) of Grimes, and Ryan Huinker (wife Jamie) of Clive, ten grandchildren (Greg Vance, Whitney Lovik, Bailey Kruser, and Macy Vance; Devin Huinker and Storm Huinker; Kaylee Huinker and Allen Huinker; Dawson Huinker and Cole Huinker, and three great grandchildren. Doralee absolutely loved being with her grand and great grandchildren, particularly when they were babies. They could bring a smile to her like none other. After her own grandchildren were grown she often talked about wanting to get a job in retirement just holding babies in a hospital…she’d even do it for free she’d say.
Doralee is survived by three brothers, Jim Bollman, Clark Bollman, and Scott Bollman; one sister, Marcia Harris; her children and their spouses; all ten grandchildren and three little great grand babies. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick who she’s reunited with after losing him in 2018; her mother and father; her brothe,r Jerry Bollman, and her blessed little companion chihuahua, Murphy, who passed away just a few months ago under the watchful care of her sister Marcia and her family.
The family asks in lieu of flowers any memorials be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Monona or the Good Samaritan Foundation.
A Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 11:30 am with a Rosary at 11:30 on Monday, December 15, 2025 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Monona, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00 pm at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Monona, Iowa with Rev. Martin Coolidge as the Celebrant.
Interment will follow in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Monona, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Monona, Iowa is assisting the family with services.