Shyrlee Hill

Shyrlee Darlene Underbakke was born October 25, 1940, to Louie L. and Violet (Wilbur Ward) Underbakke at their farm near Burr Oak, IA. She was the sixth child with older siblings Maynard, Opal, twins Robert & Roberta, and Dale. Shyrlee often recalled having a wonderful childhood growing up on a farm with her loving family.

Shyrlee attended grades 1-8 at Burr Oak # 6 Country School in Winneshiek County, IA, graduated from Decorah (IA) High School in 1958 and Luther College in Decorah, IA, 1962 with a B.A. in Business Education. It was at Luther College that she met the love of her life, Craig Hill. After graduating from Luther, they were united in marriage at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah, IA, on June 10, 1962. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed near Ellsworth, IA, for 53 years.

It was on the Hill Century Farm that they raised their children, Kristin, Stephanie, Troy and Heath. The entire family worked side by side in the crop farming operation as well as raising turkeys, hogs and cattle.

Shyrlee’s husband, children and grandchildren were always a priority in her life. She enjoyed attending ball games, concerts, musicals and other activities in which they were participants.

Shyrlee taught school for a number of years, first in Story City, IA, and later at Christian schools in Radcliffe and Iowa Falls, IA. Her love for all of her students was beyond measure.

Gardening and quilting were her two of her favorite hobbies. Shyrlee loved life and lived every day to the fullest. She found joy in helping Craig in the field with planting and harvest.

In July of 2015, Craig and Shyrlee moved from the farm to Story City, IA. Their son Heath and family took over the operation of the family farm but Craig and Shyrlee have continued to be involved throughout their lives.

Having been raised in a Christian home, Shyrlee loved to read, study, and share her favorite book, the King James Version of the Bible. At the age of 13, she committed her life to Jesus while attending Bible Camp at Clear Lake, IA. She delighted in teaching the Word to her children at home, as well as others in Sunday School and study groups.

Shyrlee was preceded in death by her parents Louie and Violet, her brothers Maynard, Robert and Dale, and her sisters, Opal and Roberta.

Shyrlee passed away on March 12, 2023, at Mercy One Medical Center at the age of 82. She is survived by Craig, her husband of 60 years; daughter Kristin and Bob Blank (Bloomington, MN), Nathan and David (Katie); daughter Stephanie and Tom Neitzke (Lakeville, MN), Ashley (Fred) Langenfeld, Alyssa (Tim) Eastes, Chelsey, and Courtney; son Troy and April Hill (Ames, IA), Elise, Luke, Lydia, and Jake; son Heath and Lesli Hill (Ellsworth, IA), Caiden (Steph); seven great grandchildren: Hayden, Gavin, Jackson, Daisy, Ellie, Cooper, and Hadley; sister-in-law Eleanor, brother-in-law Frank, sister-in-law Donna and many other relatives and friends.

Family will greet friends at a visitation on Friday, March 17, 2023 from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines. Services will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. After the service, there will be a light lunch at the funeral home followed by burial at Homewood Cemetery in Ellsworth, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to www.hopeiowa.org

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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