Amelita A. Heithoff, daughter of Albert and Eleanor (Kroeger) Heithoff was born August 14, 1927 at the family farm near Elgin, NE. She was baptized into the Catholic faith at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin and received her education from St. Boniface Schools, graduating with the class of 1945. She was assistant bookkeeper and teller for the Elgin Cooperative Credit Association for three years.

On August 18, 1947, she married Gerhard “Jerry” Tunink at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin. The couple made their home in Elgin, where Lita served as bookkeeper for Tunink Construction for 40 years until they retired in 1985. She was the mother of three children: Robert, Carol Ann, and Mary Jean “Jeannie”. She was a loving mother and caregiver to her three handicapped children.

Lita was an avid gardener, homemaker and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and crocheting Afghans. She loved playing cards and visiting with family, friends and neighbors, along with being a leader in the family. She was a member of St. Boniface Alter Society, a lifelong member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and led the Parish Prayer Line for many years.

She is survived by her husband Jerry; one brother: Louis (Darlene) Heithoff; four sisters: Eunice Goetzinger, Yvonne Heithoff, Audrey (Gene) Miller, and Lorene (John) Stuhr; along with several nieces and nephews.

Lita was preceded in death by her parents; three children, one brother Donald Heithoff, and one brother-in-law Charles Goetzinger.