Waunitta May (Sales) Kinning, age 99, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, January 10, 2018.

She was born on December 22, 1918 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Lou and Margaret (Reif) Sales and grew up on her parent's farm, which they called the "Island", near Decatur, Nebraska with her two brothers and four sisters.

On February 14, 1937 she married Ormond "Shot" Kinning in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They had two children, Ivan "Butch" in July of 1940 and Carolyn in May of 1949.

They started farming near Decatur, Woodbine and Battle Creek, Iowa. In 1956, they purchased and operated a farm and Firestone store in the community of Ida Grove, Iowa.  In 1958, they moved north into Wisconsin and purchased a farm near York which was Waunitta's home for 60 years. Tragically, their loving marriage was cut short when Shot was killed in a tractor accident in 1967.

Nete, as she was known to many, was a foster mother for many years. She served as a foster mother to over 32 children, washing many loads of laundry, cooking three meals a day for 12 or more, but more importantly, teaching them the value of family. She also served as a leader of the Northfield-Go-Getters 4-H club for more than 30 years, giving guidance and encouragement not just to the neighborhood youth, but the entire Jackson County 4-H program.

She loved family and truly enjoyed get togethers for reunions and holidays. She was a talented seamstress, specializing in quilts, curtains, casserole covers and upholstery projects. Nete was known for her cooking, especially her award winning cinnamon rolls and chocolate cake; anybody that showed up at meal time was always welcome at her table and would not leave hungry.

Left to cherish her memories are her son, Ivan "Butch" (Sonja); a daughter, Carolyn (Gene) Mann; three grandchildren, Dan Kinning, Tammy (Bob) Frank and Gene Mann Jr. She was blessed with nine great-grandchildren, Aaron, Collin and Mikaela Kinning, Anne Waunitta and Ellis Frank, Cody, Carter, Abigail and Christopher Mann; one great-great-grandchild, Zailey Sprinkle, with another arriving in the spring; a brother, Lou Dale Sales of Battle Creek, IA; three sisters, Kathern Kessler of Holstein, IA, Margaret Austin of Omaha, NE and Lavonne "Bonnie" Teitsort of Battle Creek, IA; several nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Margaret Sales; husband, Ormond "Shot"; a brother, Kenneth Sales; a sister, Ina Maxwell; three brothers-in-law, Duane Maxwell, Lyle "Dutch" Teitsort and Harold Austin and a sister-in-law, Helen Sales.

Waunitta left the legacy of a loving family who will miss her immensely and always remember and honor her memory.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, Januay 16, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Upper Pigeon Creek Lutheran Church in rural Hixton with Pastor David Christianson officiating.  Burial will be in the Lincoln Cemetery in Whitehall at a later date.

Visitation will be Monday, January 15, 2018 from 4-7 p.m. in the Upper Pigeon Creek Lutheran Church in rural Hixton and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

The Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall is assisting the family with arrangements.