Norma Jean Hill, 89

Norma Jean Hill, 89, formerly of Dows, passed away on Monday, September 20, 2021. 

Private family services will be held.  A recording will be posted on Norma’s obituary on the Ewing Funeral Home website following the funeral service.

A public celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Norma Jean Russell was born September 5, 1932 to M. Earl and Mary (Denby) Russell in Dows, Iowa.  She was raised and educated in Dows, graduating from Dows High School with the Class of 1950.

Norma was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Kenneth James Hill on February 18, 1953 at the Dows United Methodist Church.  The couple lived at Fort Bliss, Texas and later at Fort Lewis in Olympia, Washington while Ken served with the United States Army during the Korean War.

Following Ken’s military service, the couple returned to Dows to farm.  In addition, Norma held a number of jobs over the years: secretary of an insurance company, bookkeeper at Charlie Gregg Motors, editor of the Dows Advocate, and Avon and Home Interiors sales associate.  She also wrote grants for the Dows Community Schools, the City of Clarion, and the Wright Medical Center.

Norma was a longtime member of the Dows United Methodist Church, serving a variety of church council positions, including being the local representative at the annual conference and a Sunday school teacher.  She also volunteered her time as a 4-H and Girl Scout leader.

Norma was active as a member of Eastern Star and the Christian Women’s Club of Dows and Mesa, Arizona, where she and Ken spent many winters. They made lifelong friends playing in the same card club for more than 40 years.  She took up genealogy research and oil painting while in Arizona.  She was an avid reader, as well.

Norma took great pride in her family and friends.  She always enjoyed working alongside the other church women in supporting the community.  She was “full steam ahead” regardless of the challenges she faced, leaning on her faith for strength to overcome life’s hurdles.

Norma is survived by her children, James (Lisa) Hill of Bend, OR and Jeanette (Mark) Fox of Clive, IA; daughter-in-law Lori Hill of Northwood, IA; grandchildren, Sara (Doug) Kinney of Idaho Falls, ID, Amy (J.C.) Hoyt of Kansas City, MO, Brandon (Jehan) Hill of St. Charles, IL, Josi (Dan) Rogers of Redmond, OR, Brittney (Doug Brandon) Fox of Des Moines, IA, Sierra (Connor) Belisle of Eugene, OR, Shannon (Syed Newaj) Hill of St. Paul, MN, Christian Fox of Clive, IA and Rachel Hill of Northwood,  IA; sisters-in-law Norma Russell of Dows, IA JoAnne Russell of Downingtown, PA, and Betty Fibikar of Dows, IA; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents; husband Kenneth Hill; son Robert Hill; sister Elizabeth (Myron) Smith; brothers Bernard Russell, Larry (Kay) Russell, Richard Fibikar; and sister-in-law Darlene (John) Cellan.

www.ewingfh.com

Ewing Funeral Home 

119 E. Ellsworth

Dows, Iowa 50071

515-532-2233