Hank Kowalik

A memorial service for Hank Kowalik, age 78, of Spirit Lake will be held at 2pm on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. A visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Following the memorial service, there will be a Celebration of Life at Buck's Pub in Spirit Lake. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Henry John “Hank” Kowalik, the son of Max and Helen (Leonard) Kowalik, was born November 14, 1947, in Dearborn, Michigan. He grew up and graduated from high school in Michigan.

Hank proudly served his country in the United States Army for over twenty years, retiring at the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSG). Following his military career, he moved to Iowa in 1986. Hank worked as a welder and in maintenance at Stylecraft Furniture and also worked on motorcycles at Polaris.

In his free time, Hank enjoyed playing pool and darts. He especially enjoyed spending time with Bonnie and his great-niece and great-nephew giving them cooking lessons. Known for his personality and the many memories he created over the years, Hank was often simply described by his family as “a legend.”

Hank passed away on September 23, 2026, at the age of seventy-eight at his home in Spirit Lake, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his fiancée of twenty-three years, Bonnie VanLenning, along with numerous other family members and friends.

Hank was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Helen Kowalik; sister, Patricia Kowalik; and brother, Bobby Kowalik.