Vern Hunzelman

Vernon (Vern) Hunzelman, age 97, of Marshalltown, Iowa, departed this earthly life on January 12, 2024. He resided at The Willows and was cared for by their wonderful staff along with that of St Croix Hospice.

A visitation will be held at Mitchell Family Funeral Home on Friday, Janury 19, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. Funeral services will be held beginning at 11:00 A.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Herschberger officiating. Vern will be laid to rest alongside his wife Marj at Hillside Cemetery north of State Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Willows of Marshalltown, St. Croix Hospice, or Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marshalltown. For further information or to send condolences, please visit http://www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Vern was born January 30, 1926, at the family farm near St. Anthony, IA. He was the son of Warren and Hilda (Hennies) Hunzelman. He grew up in the community, attended parochial school at St. John Lutheran Church, then graduated a semester early from St. Anthony High School to enlist in the US Marine Corps the following March. He served in the Pacific region of Saipan, Nagasaki, and Sasebo, Japan for two years until his honorable discharge in November 1946. Upon his return home, he was employed by Lennox Industries and Firestone before beginning a 33 year career with Loots-Manning/Manning Chevrolet. After that, he continued to work in farming for several years, stayed in sales for various companies, and worked part-time for the City of Marshalltown for five years before fully retiring in December 2015.

On November 25, 1956, he was united in marriage with Marjorie Morgan. They met while both were employed by Lennox Industries and were married at St. John Lutheran Church. They made their home primarily in Marshalltown. They were one of the founding families of Our Savior Lutheran Church in 1975, and both served their church faithfully over the decades.

Vern had many hobbies. He had his pilot’s license in his younger days, was a biker, gardened, and enjoyed restoring vehicles and tractors. His favorite hobby was woodworking, and he crafted many projects over the years.

He is survived by his children: Judi (Joe) Nixon of Brentwood, TN with children Leah Nixon and Steve Nixon; Jana Rogers of Urbandale, IA with children Allison Vial (Jon; sons Graham and Jack) and Emily Lang (daughter Ruby); John (Darla) Hunzelman of Ankeny, IA with children Jacob “JJ” (Magda) and Joseph; and Joel (Amy) Hunzelman of Waverly, IA with children Mollie and Beckett.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 62 years (Marj, 4/1/2019), brothers Reuben and Donald, and sisters Lucille and Dorothy.