Marlin J. Hilbrands

George, Iowa Marlin J. Hilbrands, age 78 of George, IA died Monday July 11, 2011 at Good Samaritan Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16th at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church at George, IA with Rev. Paul Fischer officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George with full military honors by the Jack Sauter Post #404, American Legion of George. Visitation will be Thursday, July 14th from 4:00 " 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George. Marlin Jack Hilbrands was born July 31, 1932 in George, IA to John M and Selma (Klinkenborg) Hilbrands. He lived his youth on farms outside Sibley and George. Marlin attended country school at Dale Township #5 and later the George High School, graduating in 1950. Marlin was drafted into the United States Army in 1952 and served his country in the Korean War being honorably discharged in December 1954. During his military service, Marlin received a Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and a Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star and one Overseas Service Bar. Marlin was united in marriage to Joan Mae Smid on June 29, 1956 at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. They lived and farmed southeast of George until moving into town in 1999. Marlin was a member of the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church and over a 50 year member of the American Legion, serving 26 years as Adjutant for Jack Sauter Post #404. In addition to farming, Marlin served on several local boards including Treasurer of the Lyon and Sioux Rural Water Board, Sheldon/Matlock Co-Op Elevator Board, George Co-Op Oil Company Board and served 26 years on the Dale Township Trustee Board. He was a meter reader in Dale Township for the Rural Electric Cooperative for several years. Marlin was also a Lyon County Supervisor from 2001 through 2004. Marlin loved to take rides in the country and look at the crops and admire the land. He also enjoyed bowling, playing cards and attending auctions. Marlin was a resident of the Good Samaritan Center in George, IA since April 2008 and the Sioux Falls Good Samaritan Center the last two weeks with Joan. Marlin passed away on Monday, July 11, 2011 at the age of 78. Marlin is survived by his wife Joan of Sioux Falls, SD, and their children Johna (Merle) Sohl of Corwith, IA; Maureen (Joe Turman) Schmidt of Harrah, OK; Holly (Mark) Grubb of Ellsworth, IA; Michael Hilbrands of George, IA; Peggy (Daniel) Ranfeld of Castle Rock, CO; and Eric (Rosemary) Hilbrands of Fairmont, MN; and 12 grandchildren, Jennifer (Chris) Dobel, Wayne and Brandon Sohl; Laura, Anthony, Trevor and Marla Grubb; Taylor, Jacy and Riley Hilbrands; and Bennett and Eleanor Hilbrands. Marlin is also survived by his siblings, Douglas W (Rita) Hilbrands of George, IA; Jacqueline (John) Buck of Long Beach, CA; Donna (Lyle) Sundry of Byron, MN; an Uncle, Ray Klinkenborg (Nancy) of Rock Rapids, IA, an Aunt, Earlene Hilbrands of Longmont, CO, several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John M and Selma Hilbrands.