Kathryn Ilene Hillhouse

Ilene Hillhouse, 91 of Malvern, IA passed away on July 7, 2016 at her home in Malvern.

Open visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Monday, July 11, 2016 at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Malvern. Family will be present from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Private family interment will be held at the Malvern Cemetery.

Memorials: Directed to the family

Kathryn Ilene Hillhouse, one of five children of Harvey Aaron and Helen Etta (Green) Miller, was born on February 23, 1925 near Malvern, Iowa. Fondly known as "Ilene", she started school at Foxworthy Country School in the Peaceville area south of Malvern and later attended Spring Valley Country School. Her family moved to live in Malvern in 1933, where Ilene continued her education in the Malvern Schools through the 9th grade. She then stayed home to help her parents by caring for her younger brothers, cooking meals and doing housework while her parents worked at the Malvern Cold Storage.

Ilene's father was a Pilgrim Holiness Minister and her mom was his constant helper. He was called to the ministry at King's Community Church near Bartlett, Iowa and Ilene would play the pump organ for church services. She met her future husband at this church.

Ilene and Lyle Ancil Hillhouse were married on October 31, 1941 in Rock Port, Missouri. Lyle was called to service in the United States Army the following April of 1942 for 3 A 1/2 years. Ilene stayed with her family and worked at the Jerpe Commission Co. Inc., in Malvern; a large poultry processing plant where poultry and eggs were processed for use by the fighting forces and Allies.

Following his discharge, Ilene and Lyle made their home in Malvern and their marriage was blessed with two children, Lyle LaVerne and Sheryl Elaine. In 1955, the family moved to Pacific Junction, Iowa before returning to Malvern in 1968 so Ilene could care for her parents.

Ilene was a homemaker throughout her life. She lived a Christian life for the Lord, devoting time to her church as a Sunday School teacher and cleaned the church with her mother. Ilene was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and a good friend. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Ilene passed away on July 7, 2016 at her Malvern home surrounded by her loved ones, at the age of 91 years, 4 months and 14 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother Viola Miller; beloved husband Lyle Hillhouse; grandson Kevin LaVerne Hillhouse; great grandson Zachary Allen Hillhouse; brothers, Willus Aaron "Bud" Miller, Homer Clinton Miller; and sister Eunice Onalee Lemonds.

Ilene is survived by her son LaVerne Hillhouse and wife Sharon of Glenwood, IA; daughter Sheryl (Hillhouse) Johnston of Malvern; granddaughters, Julie Hillhouse of Clarinda, IA, and Helen (Johnston) Tuper and husband Dayton of Malvern; 9 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; brother Nathan Miller and wife Jane of Dover, TN; nieces, nephews; extended relatives; and a host of friends.