Stella Hunter

Stella Irene Hunter, who lived at the Classic at Hillcrest Greens in Altoona until her final month, passed away peacefully one week before her 93rd birthday. She lived an independent, caring life for her first 92 years and 11 months. She was born in Exeland, Wisconsin in 1932 to Joseph and Frances Hake. She joined the family with older brother Donald Hake.

The family moved to Luck, Wisconsin where she proudly graduated from high school after being the junior year prom queen. Her humbleness would have quickly told you about the small number of girls in her class.

Shortly after high school she married her first husband, Dennis West. When he finished his service in the Air Force they lived in Westville, Illinois. Here they had two children, Jeff and Lynne. She was very proud that she could stay home with her children until they were both school age. Then she used her secretarial skills in various positions. In 1969, the family moved to Eau Claire where she was employed by National Presto Industries as the secretary in the model shop.

Several years after her divorce, she met her true soul mate, George Hunter. They married in 1987 and were together until his passing in 2020. They were so happy together and after retirement they built their lake home in Chetek, Wisconsin. Years later they came back to Eau Claire to be closer to family.

Family was her highest priority, always. She had added a step-son to her family, Blair Hunter. Stella was never known for sitting still. She filled her time with the beautiful flowers in her gardens, taking her daily walks, reading massive amounts of books, spending time on the pontoon, sewing quilts from scrap fabric, baking the best chocolate chip cookies or any pie, taking care of her various dogs (last one was Mickey), checking in with anyone who might need her help with something, and enjoying every minute of being a grandma. She loved her sweatshirt that stated if she knew having grandchildren would be so much fun, she would have had them first.

She is survived by her son Jeff West (Shelley) in Eau Claire, daughter Lynne Kohlhepp (Dan) from Wausau, her four granddaughters Sara Lange (Jake) in Neenah, Wisconsin, Kaitlyn West in Celebration, Florida, Lindsey West in Orlando, Florida, and Kylie West in Eau Claire. The two latest additions who added so much joy to her final years are great grandchildren Hattie and Hutson Lange. Her step-son Blair Hunter (Maria) are in Texas with their children Zoe and Gabriel.

Her final resting place will be with George at Northern Wisconsin Veteran Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, Wisconsin. A memorial service will be held there in their chapel on Friday, October 3, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, wear something red in memory of her or make a donation to any charity of your choice. She had many worthy causes she supported but always stated there were so many who could use our help. We can't say thank you enough for the coordinated care she received from Missy at Heartland Hospice, she made the final month of Stella's life comfortable and peaceful.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.