Gladys L. Hitzhusen

GREENE - Funeral services for Gladys L. Hitzhusen, 102, of Greene, will be 11 a.m., Jan. 26, at the United Methodist Church in Greene, with Pastor John Hanna officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Greene.
Visitation will be 10-11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 26, at the United Methodist Church in Greene.
Gladys was born on May 8, 1909, in rural Marble Rock, Scott Township, Floyd County, a daughter of Harry and Maude (Farington) Marsh and died Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at the Liebe Care Center in Greene.
She received her education in public school graduating from Greene High School in 1925 at the age of 16. Gladys continued her education for two additional years at Iowa State Teachers College. She taught fourth grade in Greeley, for one year while also coaching basketball. Gladys stood only 4 feet 11½ inches tall her family boasts that she was the "Shortest basketball coach in history!"
She was united in marriage to Fred Lockwood on June 16, 1929, to that union were blessed five children. The couple lived on a farm near Marble Rock where Gladys worked very hard to raise her five children while taking care of the dairy cows, hogs and chickens. Later she raised turkeys on the farm. Her oldest son married and took over the farm in 1953. Gladys then moved to Greene where she taught fourth grade from 1953-1958.
On Feb. 4, 1958, she married Leon Hitzhusen. They enjoyed their life on a farm near Rockwell. She and Leon especially enjoyed their garden and fishing. After Leon passed away, Gladys moved to Mason City where she lived for several years before moving back to Greene.
Gladys was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and a member of the Eastern Star. She loved to play violin and had over 30 violins in her personal collection. Gladys liked to write poetry and won an international award for one of her poems.
Gladys is survived by her four sons: Robert (Patricia) Lockwood, Charles City, James (Janet) Lockwood, Hiawatha, Dean (Ann) Lockwood, Sioux City , Lee (Tamara) Lockwood, Dows; 19 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 13 great great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her two husbands: Fred Lockwood and Leon Hitzhusen; her daughter, Joan Hannah; three brothers: Walter Marsh, Willard Marsh, Dale Marsh; one step-son, Jan Hitzhusen.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Gladys Hitzhusen Memorial Fund, 1400 S. Main, Charles City, IA 50616.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Reid's Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St. Greene, 641-823-4457, www.reidsfuneralchapel. com.