Norma Jean Hill, 89, formerly of Dows, passed away on Monday, September 20,
2021.
Private family services will be held. CLICK HERE to view Norma Hill's funeral
service [https://fb.watch/8kmbGF5skz/]
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.