Constance Hitzhusen

Constance “Connie” Ruth Hitzhusen (née Smith) passed peacefully from this world into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, early on Sunday morning, January 19, 2025, one day before her 87th birthday, at her home in Lewisville, Texas.

Connie was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 20, 1938, to Theodore Emmit and Ruth Louise (née Marsh) Smith. She spent her early years on their farm near St. James, Minnesota, with her parents and younger sister Sara Louise until the family moved to Mason City, Iowa, in 1943. Connie grew up in Mason City, where she took piano and voice lessons while frequently ice skating at East Park in winter. Connie was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and later graduated from Mason City High School in 1956. She attended Valparaiso University as a member of The Phi Beta Kappa Society, until her marriage to Joseph H. Alcorn. Together they had three children before ultimately parting ways in 1963.

Connie later met Donald H. Hitzhusen, and upon finding great love, they married in August 1966. They made their home on his farm between Rockwell and Rockford with children Mark and Paula. Together, they worked to build their insurance, real estate, and farming businesses. They later added Hitzhusen Hunts, booking clients on African safaris and hosting pheasant hunts on their farms, welcoming family, friends, and clients for over three decades. They traveled together around the world.

Connie was well known for her love of people and her gift of hospitality. She was an amazing cook and a gracious hostess, capable of creating intimate dinner events or feeding large groups with enthusiasm and joy. Ask anyone who knew her well what they remember most about her and they will tell you: her unconditional love, hospitality, and chocolate chip cookies! Connie loved hosting field trips for local students at their home, sharing stories of their travels. These field trips included slides of their African adventures and an animal collection, which was later donated to the University of Northern Iowa Museum of Natural History for display.

Connie had a deep appreciation for the natural world, with a special affection for gardening, flowers, trees and wildlife. In 1991, she and Don were recognized by The Nature Conservancy for preserving Iowa’s natural prairie on their farms. The Hitzhusen Prairie is now a Registered Iowa Natural Area. They also enjoyed sharing the Devonian fossil beds on their farm with visiting university professors and students from around the world.

Connie was active in her church and involved with Concerned Women for America, the Rockwell

Women’s Club, and the Rockwell Garden Club. Her faith was the guiding light throughout her life. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a missionary to Africa, and her travels there allowed her to witness her faith to many. In 2002, Connie relocated to Anamosa, where she continued to host people from all over the world, sharing her faith and worship. While there she attended the River of Life Church in

Cedar Rapids and the New Life Community Church in Anamosa. In 2012, Connie moved to Dallas, Texas, to be close to her children and grandchildren, cherishing family events and holidays together. Even in her later years, she continued to spread joy and words of encouragement wherever she went.

The world has lost a bright light and a beautiful soul with Connie’s passing, but those who knew her take comfort in knowing we now have a prayer warrior in Heaven watching over us. Think of her when you see butterflies flitting over the wildflowers, and say a little prayer back to her.

She is survived by her children Mark Alcorn and his wife Joyce of Coppell, Tex., and Paula Tyler (née Alcorn) of Lewisville, Tex.; grandchildren Erin Alcorn O’Donnell and Colin Alcorn; nephews and nieces: John Minette and his wife Salina, and their children Sarah Battaleme (née Minette), Samuel Minette, and Jessica Aguilar; Mary Minette, her husband Anthony Ladogana, and their son Santino; Ted Minette, his wife Kelly, and their children Max and Kate; and Jennifer Fore (née Minette), her husband Chris, and their children Spencer, Madeline, and Rosemary; cousin Theresa Nolte-Pinkert; and many beloved members of the Hitzhusen, Grant, Smith, and Marsh families.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents Ted and Ruth Smith; her sister Sara Louise Minette (née Smith) ; her infant son Jeffrey Alcorn; her husband Donald H. Hitzhusen; her son-in-law John W. Tyler, Jr.; her infant niece Nancy Minette; and her brother-in-law Michael (Mick) Minette.

A Celebration of Life service and burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on June 28, 2025, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 516 2nd St., Rockwell, followed by a graveside service at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Rockwell. A luncheon will be served at St. Peter Lutheran Church following the service. The family requests that any memorials be made in her honor to the Lime Creek Nature Center or the Rockwell Library. Fullerton Funeral Home is handling all arrangements for the services.