Ila Hicks

Ila Nadine (Rief) Hicks was born on July 16, 1925, to Arthur Julius and Ethel Mae (French) Rief in Honey Creek, Iowa. She attended elementary school in Boomer Township near Honey Creek, Iowa and later moved with her family to their farm east of Woodbine. She graduated from Woodbine High School in 1944. On March 16, 1947, Ila married Orville Hicks at the First United Methodist Church in Woodbine. To this union, two children were born, Rita and William (Bill). The couple farmed west of Dunlap where Ila was an avid gardener and helped with the farm operation while Orville operated Hicks Trucking. After moving into Dunlap in 1985, Ila worked for Job Service of Iowa and later at the Dunlap Senior Center Meal Site. Orville died October 15, 2001.

Ila was a member of the Dunlap Congregational Church where she held numerous committee positions, taught Sunday School, Bible School and was the church historian for many years.

Ila died on Friday, March 11, 2016, at her home in Dunlap at the age of 90 years, seven months, and 24 days.

Ila was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orville Hicks; grandson, Andrew Hicks; brother, Gilbert Rief and sister Esther Peters. She is survived by her two children, Rita (Mike) Stolz of Missouri Valley, Iowa, Bill (Gail) Hicks of Dunlap, Iowa; four grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; one sister, Thelma Ambrose of Walnut, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.