Marlin Dean Hillrichs

Sept. 4, 1932 – April 15, 2022

On Friday, April 15, 2022, Marlin Dean Hillrichs of McKinney, Texas, formerly of Akron, Iowa, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a long and fruitful life of 89 years.

Marlin was born on Sept. 4, 1932, to Fred and Alma Hillrichs (nee Meinen) of rural Akron. He was the second of five children and was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston Township. Growing up on a farm in Northwest Iowa proved to be very influential in Marlin’s life where he learned the value of hard work, economy, and perseverance. He attended primary school in a one-room country schoolhouse and graduated from Akron High School in 1951.

Marlin’s adult and family life began with a two-year stint in the U.S. Army where he served with distinction during the Korean War. After returning home, he went to work for Swift & Company in Sioux City, Iowa, and met a pretty redhead, Pearl Ardyce Nelson, who worked in the company’s city sales department. They married on August 24, 1957, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sioux City, and would celebrate 64 years of married life together.

Taking advantage of the benefits provided by the G.I. Bill, Marlin enrolled at Morningside College in Sioux City, working days and attending class at night while providing for his growing family that now included daughters, Julie and Cynthia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in livestock marketing in 1963. Their son, Douglas, would arrive in 1964 and daughter, Susan, three years later in 1967.

Marlin spent a total of 37 years with Swift & Company as manager of beef departments at meat packing facilities in Yakima, Washington, Dumas, Texas, Grand Island, Nebraska, Clovis, New Mexico, and Des Moines, Iowa. He also served as sales manager for Western Valley Packing Company in Gering, Nebraska, for five years.

A man of faith, the church was at the center of Marlin’s life. He served on numerous committees over the years, ushered and sang in the church choir. A family man, the welfare of his wife and children were foremost in his thoughts and actions. A businessman, honesty was paramount. Marlin’s word was his bond, and he instilled those values in his children and grandchildren.

In 2001, Marlin and Pearl moved to San Antonio, Texas, to be closer to their four children and four grandchildren. They settled into retirement and traveled much of the continental United States in their motor home. They also visited Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and 12 European countries.

These golden years also involved spending considerable time with family and friends, participating in church activities at St. John Lutheran Church in Boerne, Texas, and growing bumper crops of tomatoes, oranges, and lemons in their back yard garden. They moved to McKinney, Texas, on April 4, 2022.

Marlin was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church in Boerne, Texas, and the Albert E. Hoschler Post 186 of the American Legion in Akron, Iowa.

Marlin was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Alma Hillrichs; his mother- and father-in-law, Peter and Astrid Nelson; two sisters, Marlys Hillrichs in infancy and Carol Clarey; brothers-in-law, Paul Clarey and Richard Cadwell; and sisters-in-law, Loretta Hillrichs, Carol Cadwell, and Judy Nelson.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Pearl; one son, Douglas and wife Ingrid Hillrichs of Frisco, Texas, and their children, Jonathan of Frisco, Texas, and Luke of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; three daughters, Julie Hillrichs of Frisco, Texas; Cynthia and husband Gus Rhodes of Marble Falls, Texas, and their daughter Mariah of Plano, Texas; and Susan and husband Paul Rosenbluth of McKinney, Texas, and their daughter, Claire of Arlington, Texas; two brothers, Richard and wife Cherlyn of Plainview, Nebraska, and Kenneth Hillrichs of Akron; brother-in-law, Edward Nelson of Des Moines, Iowa; and numerous beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

A funeral service to celebrate Marlin’s remarkable life will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 22543 C16, in Akron, Iowa. A graveside service with military honors will be held immediately following at Riverside Cemetery in Akron.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Albert E. Hoschler Post 186 of the American Legion or St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston Township. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. Memories and condolences can be shared at rexwinkelfh.com. https://www.rexwinkelfh.com/obituary/marlin-hillrichs

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stonebriarfh.com for the Hillrichs family.