Ione E. Hayungs

Ione E. Hayungs, 89, of New Braunfels, Texas, passed away peacefully on Monday, Sept.16, 2024 at Gruene Assisted Living surrounded by her loving children.

Services will be 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N 4th St, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428. She will be laid to rest at Clear Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 1st Ave N, Clear Lake. Visitation will also be available one hour prior to the services at the church.

Ione Erma (Smit) Hayungs was born June 24, 1935 to parents Ben and Ida (Koehn) Smit of Meservey. She attended Meservey High School and graduated in 1952. After graduation Ione worked as a school secretary of her alma mater until she married the love of her life, Ernist Dale Hayungs on Aug. 12th, 1956.

After the marriage, Ione and Ernie moved to Clear Lake to embark on their adventure. They soon welcomed their first born son Lynn, three years later celebrating twins Brian and Brenda. Ernie and Ione were inseparable and spent over 42 years in a loving relationship until his passing 1998.

Ione was a woman of deep faith and active member of Zion Lutheran Church. She was the rock of the family and took great pride in her spouse and children. After her children were grown she and Ernie enjoyed travel as long as they could. Ione then dedicated herself to caring for Ernie until his passing.

In the years following his passing she kept herself busy cooking, knitting, reading, but mostly developed a love for the game of golf. If the sun was out she was on the course. She also traveled and became what’s known as a “Snowbird”. She not only had a community of friends in Iowa, she also had a completely separate group of friends and family in Texas.

Ione ‘s health deteriorated and required her to move permanently to New Braunfels to be near her daughter. However, she never really got over leaving her home in Clear Lake.

Above all, her family was her greatest treasurer. Watching her children and grandchildren grow into kind, honest and hardworking adults brought her immeasurable happiness and pride. But never to leave out her son-in-law (Brad), daughter-in-law.(Gayle) and great-grandchildren.

Ione is survived by her three children, Lynn Hayungs of Mc Allen, Texas, Brian (Gayle) Hayungs of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Brenda (Brad) Minton of New Braunfels; grandchildren, Ryan (Valeska), Curtis, Kyle, Dustin, Jake (Kelly), Justin (Aubrey), Jessica (Nathan), Nikolaus (Allie) and Abby (Cassidy); her siblings, Lois Jenison, Alvin Smit, JoAnn (Mike) Ritter; sisters-in-law, Joanne Smit and Georgia Smit as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family

Ione is preceded in death by Ernie, her spouse; her parents; two brothers and one sister.

Ward Van Slyke is in charge of arrangements.