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Marilyn L. Hinkeldey, 89, of Cherokee passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 15, at St. John Lutheran Church in Hanover. Pastor Merritt Demski will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Church Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be on Thursday, May 14, from 5-7 p.m. at Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Marilyn’s honor to the Hanover Historical Society.
Marilyn was born on Aug. 1, 1936, to Erwin and Alice (Holtz) Radke at Alta. She was baptized on Aug. 16, 1936, and confirmed in the church on April 2, 1950, both at St. John Lutheran Church in Hanover. She graduated from Alta High School. She was united in marriage to Arlin Hinkeldey on July 7, 1957, at St. John Lutheran Church in Hanover. Together they were blessed with four children: Doug, Bruce, Kathy and Julie. Marilyn and Arlin were married for 62 years.
Marilyn devoted her life to caring for her family and serving others. She lovingly raised her children while working side by side with Arlin on the farm, helping in the fields and assisting with the milking operation. In addition to her work at home, she was employed by Iowa Public Service, prepared salads for RidgeRunner Restaurant, and volunteered at White House Cupcakery in Alta. She was also a founding member of Hanover Historical Society.
A faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church in Hanover, Marilyn generously shared her time and talents as a preschool teacher, Sunday School teacher and active member of Ladies Aid. Her faith and caring spirit touched many lives within her church and community.
Marilyn especially enjoyed her WAC (Wednesday Afternoon Club), where the farmers’ wives gathered together while their husbands attended the sale barn. She loved visiting with people and checking in on friends and neighbors, always making others feel cared for and remembered. Family gatherings brought her great joy, and she treasured every moment spent with those she loved.
She also enjoyed bowling, embroidery, gardening and painting dish towels. Marilyn had a gift for hospitality and a heart big enough for everyone — she was truly “a mother to all,” and no one ever left her home hungry.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Arlin in 2020; sister Carol McCoy; brother Robert Radke; brothers-in-law: Del McCoy, Vernon Hinkeldey and Gaylen Hinkeldey; and niece Lisa Fokken.
Marilyn will lovingly be remembered by her children: Doug (Caren) Hinkeldey of Charlotte, N.C.; Bruce (Peggy) Hinkeldey of Alta; Kathleen (Keith) Sudtelgte of Sioux City; and Julie (Kyle) Koster of Boyden; 10 grandchildren: Tyler Hinkeldey, Isabel Hinkeldey (Hadyn Brown), Deidre (Tyler) Aube, Mallory (Jason) Richter, Reese (April) Sudtelgte, Ethan (Ali) Sudtelgte, Cole (Bailee) Sudtelgte, Leah (Gannon) Harmsa, Klint (Jayden) Koster and Sara (Hunter) Baumler; eight great-grandchildren; brother Gordon (Doris) Radke of Worden, Mont.; sisters-in-law: Beverly Hinkeldey of Spencer; Sally Radke of Perry; and Lynda Hinkeldey of Lebanon, Tenn.; also many nieces and nephews.
