Myrna Lee Hynick, 85, of Albia, died at 6:30 a.m. April 5, 2024 at Vista Woods Care Center.
She was born January 12, 1939 in Eddyville to Hubert and Ruth LaVerne Emanuel Steele. She married Andrew Paul Hynick October 28, 1955 and he preceded her in death June 13, 2023.
A 1957 graduate of Eddyville High School, she earned her bachelor’s degree in education, specializing in Home Economics and English from William Penn College and her Master’s Degree from the University of Iowa. Myrna started teaching in Fremont and then at Twin Cedars, in Bussey, at Chadron State College, at Iowa Wesleyan and at Waltrip High School in Houston, TX. She and her husband then drove a semi-truck for CRST across the country. She returned to teach home economics at Eddyville High School from where she retired. When her children were in school, she was proud to be their homeroom mother.
She was a member of First Lutheran Church, the Garden Club in Eddyville, the Economics Club in Oskaloosa and the Noon Lions Club in Ottumwa. Myrna enjoyed decorating hundreds of cakes for various occasions including birthdays and weddings. She loved to travel with her husband, Paul. In her retirement, she drove a semi-truck hauling grain in the fall and she spent her summers cooking for the Black Hills Playhouse. She also cooked for various other places close to home. Although cooking was her favorite, she was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed creating her family cookbook to share with others.
Surviving are her children, Paula Simplot of Ottumwa, Vicky (Benjamin) Arias of Kansas City, KS, Andrew (Linda) Hynick of Kirkville and Harold (Christine Carnes) Hynick of Marshall, MO; 12 grandchildren, Heather (Joe Harness) Simplot, Mikel Bryn Simplot, Anthony Hynick, Daniel Ruttan, Shane Ruttan, Jessica Ruttan, Addison (Sara) Hynick, Rebecca (Mike) McGaughy, Alex Hynick, Austin (Bridget) Hynick, Rowan Hynick, and Martin Hynick; and numerous great-grandchildren; 4 sisters, Nora Dahly of Aquilla, TX, Evelyn Fierro of Chino Valley, AZ, Ellen (Chuck) McCrea of Eddyville and Carol Ann McNeese of Eddyville; a step-sister, Janet (Wally) Wilson of Des Moines.
She was preceded in death by her parents; step-mother, Edith Steele; a brother, Gary Steele; a sister, Karen Azlin; and son-in-law, Alan Richard “Ric” Simplot; 4 brothers-in-law, Frank Dahly, Jake Azlin, Edward Fierro and Larry “Harry” McNeese; and step-brother, Chuck (JoEllyn) Stringfellow.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 11th at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, April 12th at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Brad Miller officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Eddyville.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Serving Davis and Wapello Counties or the Black Hills Playhouse.
