Hilton, Vera Francis

Vera Francis Hilton, 102, of Vinton, died Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab in Vinton due to complications of age. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church in Vinton, with the Rev. Connie Wacht officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton and one hour before services at the church on Tuesday. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Sigourney.

Vera was born Aug. 1, 1907, in rural Sigourney, Iowa, the daughter of Fred and Louisa Morrow Linder. She was raised on farms in the Sigourney area and attended country school and Sigourney High School. On Sept. 8, 1926, Vera was united in marriage with Casper Cassens at the Christian Church in Sigourney. He preceded her in death on Feb. 11, 1940. On Dec. 24, 1949, Vera married Clarence Hilton in Vinton. He preceded her in death on June 2, 1958.

Vera lived in the Sigourney area until moving to Vinton in 1944. She worked as a housekeeper and homemaker. She also worked as a houseparent for the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, retiring in May 1972 after 28 years of service.

She was a member of and very active at First Christian Church in Vinton. She was a Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir, was a member of CWF, a cook for youth camp and arranged flowers for worship. Vera was a member of the Vinton Garden Club, Virginia Gay Hospital Auxiliary and Vinton Women's Club. She was named Vinton's Woman of the Year, won the DEED award for Disciples Women's Quadrennial and won the Gems of Honor award from National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Vera is survived by one son, Harold (Barb) Cassens of Vinton; three grandchildren: Shirley (Lawrence) Mann, Lynnette (Walt) Moss and Michelle (Mark) Kudlacik; seven great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Virgil (Ruth) Linder of De Land, Fla.; and one sister-in-law, Louise Linder of Sigourney.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; one great-granddaughter, Brittney Mann; two brothers, Kenneth and George Linder; and one sister, Freda Gullet.

A memorial fund has been established.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Vera and her family. You may leave condolences at