Alvin Stika, 75

January 23, 1951  - 

June 18, 2026

 

Alvin Joseph Stika age 75 of Nashua, IA, died peacefully Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Whispering Willow Senior Living in Fredericksburg.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2026, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Nashua with Deacon Michael Ward celebrating the service.  Cody Stika, Casey Stika, Chad Lechtenberg, Connor O’Donnell, Bradley Dahl, and Grady Sabelka will be serving as pallbearers.  Grant Balk will be serving as an honorary pallbearer.

Friends are invited to greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory – Olson Chapel in Nashua. Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church on Monday.

Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory – Olson Chapel in Nashua has been entrusted with arrangements.

Alvin was born on January 23, 1951, in Cresco, Iowa, to Edmund and Edith (Komarek) Stika, and lived a life marked by hard work, devotion to family, and a warm sense of humor that those who knew him will always remember.

Alvin grew up on the family farm north of Protivin where they milked cows and raised hogs/chickens.  He graduated from Cresco High School in 1969 and those early years helped shape the steady, dependable man he became. He carried the values of his upbringing throughout his life, meeting each season with determination and a practical approach that served him well in both work and home life.

On October 12, 1974, Alvin married the love of his life, Ilene Brincks, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa. Their marriage was built on companionship, loyalty, and shared experiences that spanned many decades. The couple first met at Maters Ballroom in Decorah at a dance, a beginning that led to a lifetime together. After marriage, the family lived in Charles City for three years before making their home on an acreage outside Nashua where they put down lasting roots, and raised their four children.  Alvin raised hogs and taught his children good work ethic.

Alvin was a hardworking man who spent his career contributing to several employers, including White Farm, Great Plains, Sara Lee, and Winnebago. He took pride in doing his job well and understood the value of honest work. His strong work ethic and practical nature were evident in everything he did, and he earned the respect of those who worked alongside him.

Outside of work, Alvin enjoyed a wide range of interests that brought him joy throughout his life. He loved playing cards, especially Euchre and 500, and he looked forward to bowling league which he was on for several years. He was handy with building and woodworking, though his family knew that his “fixing” skills were not always quite as refined, since duct tape was often his tool of choice. That lighthearted trait became part of his charm and gave his loved ones many stories to share and laugh about over the years.

Alvin enjoyed gardening and took pleasure in watching things grow, especially the potatoes he would plant on good Friday. He liked traveling, although not so much when a trip came with a surprise destination. He appreciated routine and preferred knowing where he was headed. He was also fond of the casino and lottery tickets, and he made a habit of scratching a ticket every day.

Alvin was proud of his Czech heritage and proud of his dad, who played the accordion for 50 years. That pride spoke to the importance Alvin placed on family and tradition. He also loved following his grandchildren and their activities, and he took great joy in watching them grow, participate, and succeed. His interest in their lives was constant, and his support was unwavering.

Alvin will be remembered as a devoted husband, a proud father and grandfather, and a man who valued family, hard work, and everyday joys. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and steadfast presence that will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew him. His memory will be cherished by his wife, Ilene, his family, and all who were fortunate enough to share in his life.

Alvin is survived by his wife Ilene Stika of Nashua; son Ben (Kayla Wilson) Stika of Charles City; daughters: Amy (Mike) Sabelka of Decorah, Sarah (Gerald) Balk of Waucoma, and Jill Dahl of Ridgeway; brother Dennis (Carol) Stika of Cresco; sisters Judy (Linus) Lechtenberg of Ft. Atkinson and Carol (Pat) O’Donnell of Protivin; brother-in-law Parnell (Diane) Brincks of Fredericksburg; sister-in-laws Pat Vsetecka of Lawler, Geraldine (Ron) Tlusty of Protivin, Verneal Koudelka of Elma, and Mardell (Melvin) Sobolik Cresco; grandchildren: Grady and Brinley Sabelka, Grant, Matthew, and Henry Balk, and Bradley and Jenna Dahl; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edmund and Edith (Komarek) Stika; brother David Stika; and godson Andy Stika.

The family thanks Whispering Willow and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care and concern.