Obituary of Inez M. Topinka

Inez Topinka, 80 formerly of Cedar Rapids, most recently living at 310 Morningside Drive, Iowa City died Sunday, October 26, 2008, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City following a brief illness. Graveside services will be held at 2pm Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a brief visitation time starting at 1pm until leaving for the services. Visitation will be held at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, where a light reception will follow the graveside services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her memory to Hospice. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Inez Maxine Kruse was born July 6, 1928, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa the daughter of W. Elmer and L. Pearl (Fay) Kruse. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1946; as a young woman, she worked for Link Belt Speeder Company. On September 19, 1948, she was united in marriage to Richard Topinka. The couple lived in Cedar Rapids until 1962 when they moved to Iowa City, where Inez was employed by the University of Iowa in the College of Business Administration as a program assistant to the Undergraduate Dean. She retired from this position in 1990. She was a former member of PTA, the Rebekah Lodge in Cedar Rapids, and an honorary member of Delta Sigma Pi, a Professional Business Women Sorority. All of her years at the University of Iowa brought many good memories, she thoroughley enjoyed working with and supporting the students. Inez had a gift for remembering names and faces, and recalling dates. Those lucky ones would attest to her ability to cook. Her family includes a son, Rick, and a daughter, Diane both of Iowa City; and her sister, Norma Banks of Georgetown, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Clara (Carl) Langenberg; and brother, Wesley (Mildred) Kruse, and a brother-in-law, Lloyd Banks. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Inez’ family and her services.