Iva Hillstrom

Iva M. Hillstrom, 85 of Port Orchard died February 22, 2009.  She was born February 27, 1923 in Witten, SD to John & Ida (Bornman) Merchen.  She married Harley Ernst in 1942-he passed away in 1968.  She married Edgar Hillstrom in 1969 and he also preceded her in death in 2007. Iva worked as a Food Services Worker for the SK School District, retiring in 1983.  She enjoyed camping, traveling, dancing, gardening and most of all time with her family.  She was a member of the Port Orchard Eagles Auxiliary. Surviving are Son John Ernst of Gig Harbor, WA; daughter Gwen (Rod) Brentin of Port Orchard; stepson John (Cindy) Hillstrom of Puyallup, WA; stepdaughter Marge (Dick) Workman) of Port Orchard; brother Bernard Merchen of Upper Lake, CA; 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by brothers Jim, Orland (Bud) & Swede and sisters Mae, Hazel & June. Visitation February 26th from Noon to 5:00pm and February 27th from 9:00 am until the service at Rill's Life Tribute Center in Port Orchard.  Celebration of Life at 11:00 am, February 27, 2009 at Rill's Life Tribute Center with burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Bremerton at 1:30pm.  Memorial donations to American Cancer Society, South Kitsap Relay for Life, 4409 SE Foss Rd, Port Orchard WA 98366.