Alice Sienknecht

Alice Kay (Handorf) Sienknecht, 82, of Dunkerton and formerly of Gladbrook, passed away peacefully at her home after a short illness, surrounded by her loving family, on Thursday, June 6, 2024. She was born December 9, 1941, in Marshalltown, the daughter of Ward and Margaret (Thirlby) Handorf. She graduated from Gladbrook High School in 1959 and attended Westmar College in LeMars.

She married Robert L. “Bob” Sienknecht on June 24, 1960, at Chapel Church in rural Gladbrook and would have been married 64 years later this month.

Alice's dedication to farming was not just a job, but a way of life and a great place to raise a family. She worked alongside Bob for their entire married life and even in her final days, she was actively involved in the farming operation, from bookkeeping to running the combine and everything in between. Bob and Alice relocated to her family farm near Dunkerton in 1962 thinking they would only be here a short time. However, they stayed and together they grew the farm which included both crop and livestock operations. In 2016, their farm received the Century Farm Designation at the Iowa State Fair. This is a true testament to her hard work and commitment to their farm life.

Alice made an impact on the community in various ways. She was a member of Mt. Hope Methodist Church in rural Waterloo, since relocating to Dunkerton where she served in many roles. Her unwavering commitment was fueled by her deep-rooted faith. She was a long-time member of Dunkerton Women’s Club. Her love for reading was evident in her role as the reading chair for many years with the Women’s Club as well as her contributions to the Dunkerton Library.

Alice especially cherished her family. You could say hospitality was her middle name. She prepared a table full of food for many family celebrations and could also put a meal together at a moment’s notice for those that stopped by. She grew a garden full of flowers and vegetables for good eating and sharing with others. She liked being a part of the local Garden Club. She especially enjoyed wintering in South Texas after the fall harvest was complete, for over 30 years.

Those left to remember and cherish her memory are her husband, Bob; two daughters, Lori (Mark) Beecher, of Norwalk, and Lisa (Doug) Johnson, of Cedar

Falls; her grandchildren

; Rochelle (Josh) Beck, Brittany (Eric) Blair-Broeker; and her step-grandchildren: Beau (Michelle) Beecher, Rhett (Kari) Beecher, Jeremy (Jenny) Beecher, Marcus (Brooke) Beecher, Brandon Johnson and Emily (Josef) Kadlec; her 19 great-grandchildren; her brother Lynn (Claire) Handorf; her sister Sue (Stan) Koster; her sisters-in-law Karen Handorf, Joan Haverly and Janice Zwyers and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Craig Handorf.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave, Waterloo, Iowa 50701. A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Locke at Tower Park. A private family inurnment will be held in the Fairview Cemetery in Dunkerton at a later date.

Memorials: may be directed to Mt. Hope Methodist Church, 6114 Sage Rd, Waterloo, IA 50703 or Cedar Valley Hospice, P.O. Box 2880 Waterloo, Iowa 50704-2880.

Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave Waterloo, Iowa 50701, is in charge of arrangements 319-233-3146. Online condolences may be left at www.lockefuneralservices.com.