Eunice Eileen Hamilton Obituary – Independence, IA

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Eunice Eileen Hamilton, aged 89, passed away from natural causes on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Lexington Estate in her hometown of Independence, Iowa.

Her funeral service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 10, at First United Methodist Church in Independence. Pastor Elizabeth Bell will lead the ceremony. Following the service, Eunice will be laid to rest at Wilson Cemetery in Independence. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, at White Funeral Home in Independence, and also one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.

Born on November 1, 1935, in rural Buchanan County, Iowa, Eunice was the daughter of George Steinmetz O’Brian and Ruth Esther (Blad) O’Brian. She excelled in her studies and graduated as Valedictorian from Independence High School in 1954. That same year, she married Gilbert Dean “Cricket” Hamilton at the First United Methodist Church in Rowley, Iowa. The couple settled on a farm south of Independence, where they raised their family until moving into town in 1978 to a home built by Gilbert and their sons.

Eunice dedicated 37 years to her career as a legal secretary at the law office of Craig, Wilson, and Flickinger, where she was highly skilled and took great pride in her work. She was an active lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church and participated in the United Methodist Women’s organization. Her community involvement included memberships in the Buchanan County Health Center Auxiliary, Silver Sneakers, Red Hat Society, Chautauqua Book Club, and various card clubs.

An avid reader and poet, Eunice also had a passion for cooking and baking, often delighting friends and family with her famous brownies at church and community events. Her laughter was infectious, a cherished trait she passed on to her loved ones.

Eunice leaves behind a loving family: six children, Steven Hamilton of Sandy, Utah, Loren Hamilton, Daniel (Barbara) Hamilton of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, Julie (Gary) Humes, Janine (Steve) Lorenz, and Susan (Terry) Toale, all of Independence; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Eleanor VanTassel of Cedar Rapids; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Gilbert in 2011; two brothers, Glen (Vera) O’Brian and Richard (Gertie) O’Brian; two sisters, June (Dan) Holstein and Helen (Duane) Bass; her daughter-in-law, Katy McKean Hamilton; and her brother-in-law, Carl VanTassel.