Mary Helen Hixson

January 16, 1920 - April 18, 2015

Mary Helen (Boothe) Hixson age 95, of Knoxville, Iowa, passed away Saturday morning, April 18, 2015, at the Knoxville Hospital & Clinics. Visitation will begin at 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at the Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville. Mary Helen’s family will be present at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday evening. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at the Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville, with Pastor Brent Hanna officiating. Burial will follow services at Graceland Cemetery. Mary Helen was born January 16, 1920 to Loa and Elva Millen Boothe at her home in Dallas Township of Marion County, Iowa. She attended Liberty Country School and then attended Knoxville High School graduating in 1937. Mary Helen was the first to show baby beeves in Marion County in 1935 when girls were first allowed to show. She showed the Champion Angus and Reserve Grand Champion steer in 1938 at AK-SAR-BEN in Omaha, the first girl to obtain this honor. She remained active in the cattle industry her entire life and enjoyed watching her son and grandchildren show through 4-H and FFA. She enjoyed attending 4-H cattle shows and fairs. She spent many hours quilting and china painting, leaving many beautiful works behind. She was married to Carl Hixson of Davenport on July 6, 1941 at her country home. They lived in Davenport until September 1945, when they moved back to the home farm south of Knoxville. She was preceded in death by her husband, brother, mother, and father. She is survived by her son, Richard Hixson (Eileen) of Knoxville, one granddaughter Katie Bishop (Brian) of Knoxville, one grandson Chris Hixson (Lisa) of Norwalk, and five great-grandchildren, Austin & Cody Bishop, Claire Hixson, Kendall & Lathan McDaniel. A memorial in Mary Helen’s memory has been established to the Marion County 4-H Foundation and the Knoxville FFA. Condolences may be sent to www.winfieldfh.com.