Marilyn "Shorty" Hill

Marilyn "Shorty" Lea Hill, age 84, of McCallsburg, Iowa, peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at her beloved farm surrounded by her loving family.

A visitation in her honor will take place on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Bethany Lutheran Church in McCallsburg from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Her funeral service will follow on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., led by Pastor Staci Winborn. She will be laid to rest at Warren Township Cemetery in McCallsburg.

Born on January 14, 1941, to Owen and Alberta (Knutson) Fincham in McCallsburg, Shorty was baptized shortly after her birth on June 1, 1941, in the Presbyterian Church of McCallsburg, and joyfully partook in her first communion on April 13, 1952. An alumna of McCallsburg High School, she graduated proudly with the class of 1959. Though she began her academic journey at Central College, it was her deep affection for Dean Hill that called her back home, leading to a beautiful union on March 6, 1960, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Roland. The couple made their home in McCallsburg, where Shorty dedicated herself to various roles: part-time at Auestad Grocery, the Variety Store, State Bank & Trust, the Gjerde Café, and the McCallsburg Bowling Alley. She also began working at the post office in the 1960's and eventually became the Postmaster, a position she held from 1979 until her retirement in 1997. Throughout these years, she also contributed tirelessly as a devoted farm wife alongside her husband, Dean. They were blessed with two cherished children, Diane (Dave) Granzow and David (Teresa) Hill.

Shorty was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church, participating on numerous committees and lending her voice to the choir for over thirty years. Her passions included nurturing her flowers, baking, and supporting her family on the farm. Above all else, she took immense pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memories are her beloved husband of 65 years, Dean Hill; her children, Diane (Dave) Granzow and David (Teresa) Hill; her grandchildren, Adam (Lindsey) Granzow, Alesha (Dr. Benjamin) Aakre, Matthew Hill, and Luke Hill; her great-grandchildren, Scarlett, Adelaide, and Josephine Aakre, and James and Audra Granzow; her sister, Sandra (Mike) Harris; and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Shorty was preceded in death by her parents, a stepmother, Adeline Fincham, her sister Marlene Twedt, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

In her memory, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be directed to her family as they intend to use any donations to beautify the community she dearly loved by donating to the McCallsburg Betterment Organization.