Ilene Carol Hitchcock, 75, of Cedar Falls, passed away peacefully at home with her family at her side on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Ilene was born in Charles City on December 17, 1950, the daughter of William "Bill" and Opal (Stevenson) Nichols. She grew up in Janesville, graduating from Janesville High School in 1969. Following high school, she graduated from beauty school and worked as a beautician for a number of years. On December 3, 1971, Ilene married her high school sweetheart, James "Jim" Hitchcock, in Cedar Falls, and were blessed with three children, Michele, David and Ben.

While the kids were young, Ilene was a stay-at-home mom, taking care of her children and the family home. As the kids grew up, she went back to work as a hostess for Mark's Big Boy. She then worked at Walmart, retiring after 35 years.

Ilene enjoyed bowling and playing BINGO. She loved her weekly get-together, or "fancy fumbling" as they were called, with her sisters, where they would all work on various crafts or other activities. As her and her sisters started having families, the "fancy fumbling" nights turned into family game nights. Ilene loved spending time with her family and will be greatly missed.

Ilene is survived by her husband of 54 years, Jim Hitchcock; children, Michele Hitchcock, David (Becky) Hitchcock and Ben (Crystal) Hitchcock; grandchildren, William and Emma Baker, Hunter Hitchcock, Elissa Laumbach and Karmen Hitchcock; step-grandchildren, Kirstin Baker and Sidney Coontz; step great-grandchildren, Ethan Miller, Lily and Lotus Despard, and John and Makenna Coontz; siblings, Judy (Jerry) Buchan, Rita Negus, Diane (Steve) Grapp and Denise (Joe) Carthey; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Jim Nichols, Sandra Brucher and Linda Stroud.

A celebration of life will be held at 11am, Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home in Cedar Falls, with visitation an hour prior. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions in Ilene's memory to Cedar Valley Hospice . Visit www.dahlfuneralhome.com to share condolences with the family.