May 8, 1928 – June 29, 2025
Marilyn Olive Hinners, age 97, formerly of Humboldt, IA, peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025, surrounded by her family, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, IA. Born May 8, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, to Donald and Esther (Smith) Ragan, Marilyn and her mother moved to Rolfe, IA, where she attended school, graduating in 1946. She went on to realize one of her many talents at the Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa) by becoming a teacher.
Marilyn married Ernest C. Hinners at the Methodist Church in Rolfe on June 8, 1952, and they farmed near Rutland, Bradgate, Macksburg and at the home farm in rural Humboldt County. Their union produced four children, Janet Gallagher (deceased), Paul of Queen City, MO, Amy (James Schleier) of Madrid, IA, and Carl (Connie) of Stilwell, OK. Grandchildren include Daryl Hinners, Logan Schleier, Derek Schleier (deceased), Gail Gallagher and Joseph Gallagher. Great grandchildren are Maxwell, Emmett, and Ginnifer Hinners.
Marilyn taught in Lohrville, Humboldt, Gilmore City and Bradgate, IA, taking a 15-year hiatus to raise her own children. Her curiosity and drive led her to become a lifelong learner. While teaching and raising her children, she finished her bachelor’s degree through UNI satellite classes, upgrading her 2-year teaching certificate. She was especially proficient in Iowa history and volunteered her efforts with the Humboldt Historical Museum. She also enjoyed going on Elderhostel trips to experience how others live their lives and to learn about their histories.
Her many talents included gardening, sewing, knitting and quilting. She was an avid gardener using the lessons of self-sufficiency learned during the great depression to grow a substantial garden to help feed her growing family. Marilyn was a quilter of enormous talent for over 40 years. She donated quilts to many causes close to her heart and all of her family and many of her friends have one-of-a-kind examples of her artistic talent.
Her sense of humor and wit made for many colorful conversations with family and friends. Marilyn learned the value of focus and discipline as a youth after her parents divorced during the depression. Her pragmatism about life’s ups and downs and her guidance as family matriarch will be missed greatly.
Preceding Marilyn in death were her parents; her husband, Ernest; daughter, Janet Gallagher; grandson, Derek Schleier; half-brother, Donald Ragan Jr.; half-sister, Laura Ragan, and daughter-in-law, Ginger Hinners.
There will be a private graveside service held at a later date in the Union Cemetery, Humboldt.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone.
schroedermemorialchapel.com