Myra Sophia Pinney

Myra Sophia Pinney, 89, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away late Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay.

She was born November 22, 1934, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Myron and Majel (Olson) Kruse. Myra graduated from Marinette High School with the class of 1952 before attending Madison, majoring in Speech. After her children were older, she attended UWGB majoring in Art. On June 15, 1954, Myra married Thomas S. Pinney, Jr. at Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church. 

Myra worked at the Nursery in micro-propagation. She was a stay home mom keeping order for the family meals, cleaning and sewing for everyone as they needed.  Myra and Tom were blessed with three children, Majel, Cheryl and Geoff. It was not too often that meals were only for the five of them. Quite often, extra children who needed a good meal, or business associates of the nursery and academia friends were at the table.  

Myra was a voracious reader who loved words and paper. She knitted and crocheted, and did needlework, sewing beautifully without a pattern many times. Myra was a great cook and enjoyed making guests welcome.

She was a member of the Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church. Myra was an active member of both, the Honor Chapter #1 Order of the Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile. 

Myra and Tom were devoted youth mentors. She served as Guardian of Job’s Daughters for over a decade. For 27 years, she held various positions including Girls Head Counselor at the Moravian Church Camp for High School and College age youth. Giving of her personal life and time, along with her husband Tom, led to becoming a surrogate mother to hundreds of teenagers and adults who needed guidance, a shoulder to cry on or a good meal. Myra took care of the “lost sheep”, the children who needed a space and a meal when times were tough for them.  

She will be missed by her husband, Tom, with whom she shared over 70 years of marriage with; two children, Cheryl Pinney Leu of Mishicot and Geoffrey (Sonja) Pinney of Green Bay; son-in-law, Philip Henrickson of Mishicot; granddaughter, Nikki Stark (Kevin) DeGuelle; two great-grandchildren, Maxwell Thomas DeGuelle and Isabelle Majel DeGuelle; and her brother, Monty (Sandra) Kruse of Fort Worth, TX.

Myra was preceded in death by her parents, Myron and Majel Kruse; daughter, Majel Pinney Henrickson; and son-in-law, George Leu.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday August 16, 2024 at Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church, 323 S. 5th Avenue, with Rev. Dr. Matthew R. Knapp, Sr. officiating. Myra will be laid to rest in Bayside Cemetery in the Town of Sevastopol.

Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday evening, August 15, 2024, Huehns Funeral Home, 1414 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with Order of the Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile services to conclude the evening at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church, Friday morning, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. 

Memorials may be given in Myra’s honor for the Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church or Scottish Rite Learning Center.

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Myra may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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