Eileen Marie Hixson, daughter of Raymond Emmett and Eva Marie Malloy was born on June 10, 1921 in Emerson, Iowa. Eileen passed away at the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah, Iowa on April 15, 2009.
Eileen lived in Shenandoah, Essex and Sidney for most of her life. She received her education from St. Patrick's Academy in Imogene. On November 30, 1940, she was united in marriage to William "Bill" Hixson in Randolph, Iowa. They were married for 61 years prior to his passing in 2002.
She was a homemaker and enjoyed sewing, embroidering, gardening, cooking, baking, canning, playing the piano and organ and taking care of her family. Her grandchildren will always remember the full and available "cookie jar". She and Bill also enjoyed playing cards and Aggravation with family and friends. She was a member of the Sidney United Methodist Church when living in Sidney and the Englewood United Methodist Church when they moved to Colorado in 1963. The family was also custodians of the Sidney United Methodist Church.
Eileen worked in catalog sales at Montgomery Wards in Nebraska City, Nebraska and in Denver, Colorado for 18 years. She retired in 1982 and she and Bill moved back to Iowa. While living in Sidney she was involved in the American Legion Auxiliary, Phythias Sisters Lodge and was a Girl Scout Leader. She also assisted with church activities including Sunday School and Bible School. She will be remembered and deeply missed for her unconditional love, quiet strength, beautiful smile and continual acceptance of daily trials in the latter part of her life as Parkinson's disease took its toll.
Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; and two brothers, Emmett Paul Malloy and Dean Malloy.
Survivors include her two daughters, Noreen Ware and husband Ed of Roselle, IL, and Darleen Huttig and husband Don of Clarinda, IA; six grandchildren, Denise King and husband Tony, David Huttig and wife Robin, all of Aurora, CO, Rebecca Lambe and husband Scott of St. Charles, IL, Deanna Leach and husband Bill of Clarinda, IA, Roberta Jansen and husband Scott of Schaumburg, IL and Dodie Musgrave and husband John of Aurora, CO; 13 great-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Monday, April 20, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home with Rev. Jaye Johnson officiating. Attending to the memorial register was Shirley Falk while Barb Pierce and Linda Reilly cared for the flowers. Special music for the service included "How Great Thou Art", "To Where You Are", "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "Eagle's Wings". Don Huttig gave a touching eulogy. Casket Bearers included David Huttig, Brian Huttig, Bill Leach, Josh Leach, Robbie Leach and William Sustercich. Burial followed in the Sidney Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to the Sidney United Methodist Church.