MARION L. HETZLER

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Marion L. Hetzler, 90, of Muscatine, passed away on February 22, 2026, at Pearl City Place (formerly Bickford) in Muscatine, IA.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 400 Iowa Ave, Muscatine, IA, with a service at 11:30 a.m. Please join us for food and fellowship at the church following the service. The burial will take place in Greenwood Cemetery at a later date. To leave your condolences online, please visit www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Marion’s honor to Iowa Donor Network, 550 Madison Ave, North Liberty, IA 52317 or Pearl City Place, 2807 Cedar St, Muscatine, IA 52761.

Marion Sywassink, the youngest of three children, was born in Muscatine on July 31, 1935, the daughter of James and Ruth (Froehner) Sywassink. She married Wilbur L. Hetzler on May 26, 1957, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Muscatine.

Marion grew up on a dairy farm in Muscatine County and was active in 4-H and chorus. She graduated from Muscatine High School in 1953 where she was known as “Sy.” She received her teaching degree from Muscatine Junior College and went on to teach in the one-room schoolhouse where she attended grades 1-8 as a child. Two years later, she married Wilbur, and they reserved the front row at the wedding ceremony for her students. Following their marriage, she moved to Wilbur’s dairy farm in Sweetland Township. She was by his side for chores and milkings. By the time she was 30, she had four children.

Marion was a dedicated 4-H leader, and mother advisor of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She was an active member of Sweetland United Methodist Church and Wesley United Methodist Church and the UMW. Marion had a beautiful voice and sang at many weddings and funerals over the years.

When Marion was 47, she started working in the communications department at Stanley Consultants until retiring 22 years later in 2005. In her spare time, she loved feeding birds and even raised her own meal worms for her bluebirds. She was a dog lover and always spoiled her dogs, grand dogs, and great-grand dogs. Marion had a green thumb and grew beautiful flower beds and the best homegrown strawberries. She was an avid reader when she wasn’t watching Iowa Hawkeye sports. Also, we can’t forget to mention what a great cook she was.

As dairy farmers, they didn’t take vacations until they were older. Marion cherished a Hawaiian vacation for their 25th Anniversary and Cancun, Mexico for their 40th Anniversary. They were married for 66 years.

In 2011 they moved to town and wished they had moved sooner. They loved their neighbors.

Those left to honor her memory are her 4 children: Jim (Chris) Hetzler of Muscatine, Kim (Dave) Burdakin of Muscatine, Jay (Molly) Hetzler of Taylor Ridge, IL, Kay (Don) LaRue of Muscatine; 13 grandchildren: James (Rikki) Hetzler, Jacob (Keisha) Hetzler, Aaron & Troy Grady, Jenna (Brandon) Bass, Brittany (Blake) Bonnicksen, Mike (Lauren) Burdakin, Tom (Ana) Burdakin, Joshua & Jared Hetzler, MacKenzie Robbins, Amanda Palango, JD (Karyn) LaRue; 13 great grandchildren: Madison & Austyn Hetzler, Kase Bass, Blakely & Brynlee Bonnicksen, Eliza & Clara Burdakin, Zachary & Stephanie LaRue, Nicholas, Tiffany, Antonia Pepe, and Bristol Palango; sister-in-law, Ellie Sywassink, and many special nieces and nephews.

Marion was preceded in death by her husband, her parents; her sister, Pauline (Rev. E. Edward) Philgreen, and her brother, Paul Sywassink; sister-in-law, Marian (Herbert) Ide; five brothers-in-law and their spouses, Albert (Grace), Edgar (Betty), Wayne (Florence), Marvin (Reva) and Herbert (Martha) Hetzler

Marion’s family express their gratitude to the following for their support and compassion during her health challenges: the entire staff at Pearl City Place of Muscatine; Care Initiatives Hospice; and Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home.