Russell Louis Kupka January 08, 1952 – February 25, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| View Guest Book Entries| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Russell Louis “Russ” Kupka, 67, of Victor and formerly of Tama, passed away on Monday, February 25, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loved ones, after a battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). A Funeral Liturgy will be held Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Deacon Joe Behounek officiating. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Tama.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 1, 2019 from 4-7 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church with a Prayer Service following at 7 PM. Russell was born on January 8, 1952, in Belle Plaine, Iowa, the son of John C. Sr. and Genevieve (Nowotny) Kupka. Russell attended Otter Creek one room schoolhouse and graduated from South Tama County High School in 1970.
Throughout high school, Russell worked as a farm hand. After high school Russell started working at Spahn and Rose Lumber and later worked for Mid-Iowa Lumber. He previously co-owned Lantern Café and Greyhound Bus Line in Tama with his mother.
Most knew Russell as a well-known, talented, creative, particular, respected, and self-employed carpenter for almost forty years. He unwillingly retired in October 2014 due to health issues. Russell was united in marriage to Cheryl Burnes on September 28, 1973 and had three wonderful children Jolene, Kristy, and Ryan.
Later they divorced. He then married Judy Genskow on October 5, 2013 at the Little Brown Church. Russell was a proud and loving husband, father, father-in-law, step-father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother.
He was dedicated to supporting and cheering on all the kids’ activities and events. Russell was always looking for an adventure and a good time. He loved people.
If he wasn’t creating the next event, he was at an event. Everyone who came into his life became a friend. Russell was a fix-anything kind-of-guy, “a Jack of all trades”.
His past times included coed volleyball, coed softball, bowling, horseshoes, camping, boating, water skiing, playing pool, parasailing, and playing cards especially pepper. He was known for video-taping family moments, and volunteered as the projector operator at the Wieting Theater for over 20 years. His greatest joy in life was the time he spent with his family and his friends.
Russell was a member of St. Patrick Church, Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE), and Eagles Bowling League. Survivors include his wife, Judy of Victor; three children, Jolene (Jim) Weber of Parnell, Kristy (David) Timm of Victor, and Ryan (Holly) Kupka of Victor; three step-children, Megan (Todd) Rosenberger of Tama, Jared (Shevaun) Banes of Marshalltown, and Halie (Marc) Dellamuth of Newton; sixteen grandchildren, Hope Timm, Jorden Sawyer, Alexis, Mikayla, and Jacob Weber, Kody and Karlee Timm, Ethan, Erilea, Brekyan, and Breydan Kupka, Clayton, Clarissa, and Cade Rosenberger, Olivia Zmolek and Cora Dellamuth; two great-grandchildren, Grayson and Daxson Wardenburg; one brother, Larry (Reva) Kupka of DeLand, FL; one sister, Karen Gugliemetti of Clutier; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Earl and Pauline Genskow of Tama; four brothers-in-law, Paul (Kelly) Genskow, Rick (Gladys) Genskow, Rudy (Robin) Genskow, and John (Angie) Genskow; two sisters-in-law, Patty (Joe) Bath, and Cindy (John) Sheets; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, John C. (Darlene) Kupka Sr.; his mother, Genevieve (Bob) Shaw; one brother, J. Jack Kupka, and his beloved dog “Poochie”.
A memorial fund will be established.
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