Emma Lou Heitbrink

Emma Lou Heitbrink went home to Jesus on Monday, February 8, 2016. Lou was born on February 11, 1927 to Leone and Verner “Dooley” Putnam in Mason City, Illinois. As a child she moved between Illinois and Texas, graduating from high school in Northbrook, Illinois in 1945.

After attending Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois, she began work at Culligan, Inc. where she met Norman Heitbrink. They were united in marriage on August 7, 1948. To that union two sons, Charles and Steven, were born. Lou remained a stay-at-home mother and was actively involved in all of the boy’s activities. When they finished high school she returned to the work force as an executive secretary and eventually retired as the Business Manager of several electronic trade magazines for Tower Publishing.

Upon retirement she moved to Urbandale, Iowa in 1993 with her mother, Leone. She joined Westkirk Presbyterian Church in 1996, and after Leone's death, she moved in with her son Chuck. As a member of the church she served as a Deacon, volunteered in the office and was the editor of the church newsletter for 15 years. She was a member of the Dorcas Circle and led a small group in Bible study. Lou was always involved in singing and continued to share her gift with the Westkirk Choir.

Emma Lou is survived by her sons, Charles of Urbandale and Steven (Susan) of Charles City. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. The family will receive friends at Westkirk Presbyterian Church, 2700 Colby Woods Drive in Urbandale, IA on Friday, February 12, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and celebrate her life with a funeral service at 10:30. Burial will take place in Illinois at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Westkirk Presbyterian Church.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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