Obituary of Josef Hunjas

Josef Hunjas, 86, of Doniphan, Missouri, died Friday, December 8, 2023, at Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan, MO.

Josef Hunjas, son of Mathias and Magdalena (Bartens) Hunjas, was born September 11, 1937 in Yugoslavia.   He was raised near Salzburg, Austria by his maternal uncle and his wife, Anton and Anna Bartens, before immigrating to Chicago in 1956.   He married Wally Kalis in 1959.

Joe and Wally owned and operated several hospitality businesses over the years including the Gardner Haus Inn restaurant in Gardner, IL.  They retired to Doniphan, MO in 2000 where they bought a ranch and enjoyed the simple country life.     

Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Wally Hunjas of Doniphan, MO, his daughter Christine Hunjas of Minneapolis, MN, his two grandchildren, Joseph Hunjas & Jordan Duerner, and many friends and family. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal uncle and aunt, and his son, Anthony Hunjas.

Services will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at Gunderson Funeral Home, 157 S. Main Street, Lodi, WI. Visitation begins at noon, and the service begins at 1 p.m.