Peggy Hildreth

Rockwell City – Peggy A. Hildreth 77, passed away Sunday, March 31, 2024 while under hospice care at Accura Healthcare of Lake City, after a courageous battle with cancer.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2024 at St. Paul’s Lutheran & Presbyterian Church, Rockwell City, with Pastor Denise Berns officiating. Burial of ashes will be at Rosehill Cemetery, Rockwell City. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Laufersweiler’s Palmer & Swank Funeral Home, Rockwell City.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Melissa (Al) Schumann of Ankeny, and Rodney (Lori) Lange of Sheldon; grandchildren, Nichole (Zac) DeHaan of Sheldon, Nicholas (Amanda) Klatt of Polk City, Alex (Jessica) Lange of Sheldon, and Madison (Sam) Thielen of Ankeny; three great-grandchildren, Willamina Klatt, Raelynn Thielen, and Daphne Klatt; sister Carol Collins of Rockwell City; brothers, Dennis Heinlen of Rockwell City, and Phil (Jane) Heinlen of Rockwell City; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her first husband Edwin Lange; her second husband Martin Hildreth; parents, E.M. “Bud” and Luella Maurine “Rene” (Yeager) Heinlen; and sister Dolores “Dee” Harmon.

Peggy Ann Heinlen was born March 4, 1947 at Fort Dodge, and attended Rockwell City Schools. On December 4, 1964 she was united in marriage to Edwin Lange in Rockwell City, and two children, Melissa and Rodney, were born to this union. Edwin passed away in 1997. Peggy worked at Clark’s Supermarket for many years, making friendships that lasted her entire lifetime. On June 19, 1999, she was united in marriage to Martin Hildreth. Martin passed away on October 20, 2023. Peggy’s heart was full of unwavering faith in God. She was a longtime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran & Presbyterian Church, and very active in many aspects of the Church. She served on numerous committees and taught Sunday School for many years when her children were young. Peggy enjoyed being involved in many other activities including supporting the Rockwell City Depot Museum, attending the Calhoun County Wagon Train events, and spending countless hours at the Iowa State Fair with her husband Martin. Peggy was a passionate supporter of the Relay for Life event and had a faithful team that showed up every year to walk in her honor as a cancer survivor, and in support of others battling this horrific disease. She was an avid collector of Elvis memorabilia, greatly enjoyed her trip to Memphis, and adored him as her celebrity crush for many years. In October 2022, Peggy made her home at Sunnyview Independent Living in Rockwell City.

Peggy was a caring mom, mother-in-law, grandma, great-grandma, and friend. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, kind heart, and compassionate spirit.

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support, including Gentiva Hospice and the care team at Accura Healthcare of Lake City.