Nila LaVonne Schiefen

Hawarden, Iowa: Nila Schiefen, 96, of Hawarden, Iowa died Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Hillcrest Health Care Services. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 1:00pm with Pastor Carolyn Salberg officiating at Porter Funeral Home, Hawarden. Burial will be held at a later date at Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden. In lieu of flowers, the family will direct memorials towards a cause near to Nila. The Schiefen family is under the care of Porter Funeral Home and condolences may be left at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Nila Schiefen was born in Geddes, South Dakota on September 24, 1929, to Oscar B. Gibson and Esther Paulson Gibson. At the age of 5, she moved with her parents to the rural Hudson, South Dakota area. Nila attended several one room rural school houses in the Hudson and Beresford area. She ultimately graduated from Alcester High School in 1947.

On March 31, 1948, Nila was united in marriage to John Lawerence Schiefen at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Together they lived on the Schiefen farm 3 miles west of Hawarden for 28 years before moving into Hawarden in 1976.

Nila enjoyed time spent with friends, dancing, and jigsaw puzzles. Nila could also be found volunteering at Hillcrest Care Center. Nila attended St. Mary’s Church for 48 years before joining American Lutheran in August of 1996. Above all else, time with family provided many cherished memories.

Nila is survived by her sons, Eugene and Susie Schiefen of Primghar, Iowa, Robert Schiefen of Newton, Iowa, and Duane and Theresa Schiefen of Hawarden, Iowa; daughters, Linda and David Hicks of West Lake, Louisiana, Sharon and Bruce Eich of Madison, South Dakota, and Mary Schiefen (special friend, Rod Erikson) of Juneau, Alaska; 19 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

Nila was preceded in death by her parents; husband, J. Lawrence; son, Roger Schiefen; sister, Delores Gibson; great-grandson, Jase Hicks; and great-granddaughter, Reina Eich.