Jeannine "Tillie" Marie Litka

   Jeannine “Tillie” Marie Litka, age 81, of Sutherland, Iowa, passed away at home while under the loving care of her husband, on Saturday, February 13, 2021.

     Tillie was born October 9, 1939 in O’Brien County, Iowa to Chester and Marie (Schwebach) Lundquist.  Her childhood days were spent on the farm and attending country school.  She graduated from Paullina High School in 1958.

   Tillie was united in marriage to Jerry Dean Litka at the Oakdale Evangelical Free Church in Meriden, Iowa on March 27, 1959.  Apart from a couple years of living in California, Jerry and Tillie resided in Sutherland all their married life.

   Tillie was a hard worker, choosing the night shifts over the years at Millie’s Rest Home, Eatons, and K-Products.  She enjoyed taking care of their home, camping, bowling, playing cards, and shopping the secondhand stores and garage sales.  She would have all the grandkids come stay one week each summer, then take them swimming, fishing, and to the skate park.  Most of all, she was always at Jerry’s side.  During the dating years, she did such crazy things as helping check traps, then in the later years, attending auctions and helping him sell at antique shows.

   Tillie was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Marie; two half-brothers, Delton and John “Junior” Lundquist; sister, Joyce Skarin; in-laws, Joan Lundquist, Pete Schaa, and Lester Skarin; along with other cherished family and friends.

   Those who will miss her dearly include her husband, Jerry, of 61 years; two children, daughter, Deb (Gary) Suntken of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and son, Dan (LeAnne) Litka of Kansas City, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Kristin, Nick, and Adam Kijowski, Mia (fiancé, Nate Bigley) Suntken, Ali (Austin) Willets, Dax (Lauren) Suntken, and Nathan Litka; sister, Constance “Connie” Schaa of Longmont, Colorado; two brothers, Gerald (Janet) Lundquist of Paullina, Iowa, and Doug (Cindy) Lundquist of Paullina, Iowa; sister-in-law, Marilyn Lundquist of Paullina, Iowa; other relatives and many friends.

   Her fruitcakes, dilly crackers, Snerkles, and Brandy Slush were the best.  We will always remember her words of wisdom, funny sayings, and silliness. Favorite scripture included the 23^rd Psalm.  Thanks be to God and His grace.

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