Obituaries : Kenneth "Sam" J. Hill

Kenneth "Sam" J. Hill, 84, of Harpers Ferry, IA, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Thornton Manor Nursing Home in Lansing, IA, after a spirited and courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 2nd, at 11:00 AM at Thornburg - Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service with Lisa Dalziel officiating. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, both in Lansing. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Monday at Thornburg - Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Lansing. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Harpers Ferry Fire Department or the Mississippi Valley Sportsman's Club.

Kenneth "Sam" J. Hill was born March 13, 1939, in Lansing, IA, the son of John and Bertha (Cole) Hill. He was one of 10 children raised on a farm with a strong work ethic. Sam graduated from Waukon High School in 1957, and moved to Cedar Rapids, IA. He married Charlotte Snyder Metcalf of Cedar Rapids on September 25, 1972, in Lansing. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2022. Sam was a machinist assembler for Cherry Burrell/Evergreen packaging for 35 years. He was a strong supporter of the trades and a union steward for UAW local 1024 advocating for better benefits & wages.

Sam was an outdoor enthusiast who loved to hunt, fish and hit up auctions for antiques. He loved deer season and hanging out over a cold one with his Lansing hunting crew. In 2000, Sam retired and moved back to Harpers Ferry, IA, where he and his wife Charlotte enjoyed becoming part of the Harpers Ferry community. Sam and Charlotte enjoyed various trips to the Casino and vacations in Reno. He was an excellent woodworker who created barn board frames and donated wildlife prints for various local benefits. Sam was an avid sports fan following the Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones and Green Bay Packers. He was happy to see Aaron Rodgers go. His wife Charlotte provided excellent support and care for him during these last challenging years. Sam was a boisterous, happy go lucky soul who never lost his quick wit and sense of humor. He was funny till the end. "Call the Undertaker - I'm ready for the boneyard".

Survivors include his wife Charlotte of Harpers Ferry; two daughters: Tammy (Freedie) Maneely and Kim Niffenegger both of Cedar Rapids; a daughter-in-law Vicky Hill of Shellsburg, IA; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a sister Mary Moritz of Cedar Rapids; along with many nieces and nephews and his dog Ruby. Sam is preceded in death by his parents; his son Scott Hill; his siblings; Grace Bechtel, Agnes Seitz, Betty Ronan, Walter, Johnny, Melvin, Floyd, and Eddy Hill; and a son-in-law Guy Niffenegger.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff from Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon and Thornton Manor Nursing Home in Lansing for the compassionate and excellent care. Happy Trails until we meet again.

Honorary casketbearers are Jerry Seitz. Casketbearers are Wayne and Wes Hill, Rod, Jim, and Tyler Ronan, and Heath Dee.