Irene (Van Zee) Hilleman

Irene C. (Van Zee) Hilleman, 92, of Marshalltown, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2022 at Southridge Specialty Care. Funeral services for Irene will take place on Saturday, March 26 at 2:00 P.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with Pastor Nan Smith officiating. She will be laid to rest at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held one hour prior, beginning at 1:00 P.M. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for later designation. For questions or to leave a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Born Irene Celestine Osborn on January 22, 1930 in Ira, Iowa, she was the daughter of Clarence and Eva (Bailey) Osborn. She grew up in the Newton area, where she attended high school. In January of 1949, Irene was united in marriage to Raymond Thede. They were blessed with two daughters and lived together in Newton until his tragic passing in June 26, 1954. After meeting LeRoy Van Zee, the two fell in love and were married on June 28, 1956. Together they made their home in Marshalltown celebrated 32 years of marriage until LeRoy’s passing in 1988. On July 5, 2002 she was united in marriage to Leon Hilleman, who passed away in 2010. Irene was not afraid of hard work and always provided for her family. Over the years she worked at the school in Newton and at Maytag, then in Marshalltown at Ev’s Homemade, Travel Lodge Café and providing private care for several years for in-home, hospitals and nursing homes. Irene also dedicated over 26 years as a machinist at Emerson – Fisher Controls, where she retired. In her younger years, Irene enjoyed dancing, especially to country western music, bowling and motorcycle rides. She always enjoyed camping and family reunions. Irene was an avid reader and very skilled at crocheting and knitting. She was a member of Hope United Methodist Church and the local UAW and Moose Lodge. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Carla (Larry) Ruch of Jameson, Missouri and Carol (John) Haney of Marshalltown; two stepchildren: Cheryl Mauseth and Scott Hilleman, both of Marshalltown; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; her brother: Jerold (Kathy) Osborn of Cedar Rapids; sister-in-law, Jeanette Osborn of Strawberry Point and several nieces and nephews. Irene is preceded in death by her husbands; her parents; her son, Craig (Sherry) Van Zee; daughter, Cindy Eggers; grandson, Lennon Ruch; great-granddaughter, Ananda Beem; granddaughter-in-law, Kristi Beem; four sisters and five brothers.