Topinka, Lenore Stark

Lenore Stark Topinka, 94, of Lakewood, Colo., a former resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Oct. 5, 2009, following a brief illness. On Oct. 19, a reception in her honor was held at Lakewood Meridian, her home for the last 10 years.

Lenore graduated from Coe College in 1937. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, Mu Phi Epsilon honorary music fraternity, and president of the local chapters of P.E.O. and Beethoven Club. She served as choir director, youth choir director and soprano soloist in several Cedar Rapids churches, and was an active member of the Cedar Rapids Woman's Club chorus and Beethoven Club chorus. She and her husband wintered in Mesa, Ariz., where she directed a 70-plus member chorus for 16 years.

Lenore was born in Cedar Rapids on Dec. 2, 1914, to Helen and George N. Stark.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of almost 60 years, A. C. “Tope” Topinka; and her brother, John L. Stark.

A family celebration of Lenore and Tope's lives will be held in August in northern Minnesota, where the family vacationed for over 60 years.

Lenore is survived by her three children, David (Judy) of Pine River, Minn., Leanne (Mike) Tousey of Morrison, Colo., and Karl (Nancy) of Hurst, Texas; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra or the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids.