Services for Wilbur will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025 beginning at 10:30 A.M. at the Hope United Methodist Church in Marshalltown. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Hope United Methodist Church. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Wilbur Dean Hutchens was born September 17, 1937 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the only child of Bruce and Avis (Kneeland) Hutchens. He grew up in Marshalltown, Iowa and later attended Marshalltown High School, graduating in 1955. Following high school, he attended Iowa State University in Ames Iowa.

On June 14, 1959, he was united in marriage to Caralee Anderson at the First United Methodist Church in Marshalltown. Together they raised four children: Mark, Eric, Amy and Sheila. Wilbur started a career in engineering, working for Fisher Controls in Marshalltown. He continued his work for the company and later retired after 42 years. Over the course of his career, he had his name on 15 patents and received many awards. A portion of his time at Fisher took him to North Stonington, Connecticut for a project with a partner company. Outside of work, Wilbur was active in many events. In his sons’ younger years, he was an assistant Boy Scout leader for Troop 317. He belonged to the Marshalltown Camera Club, Marshall County Vagabond Campers, and the Fisher Friends Card Club. Additionally, he was a charter member for Hope United Methodist Church alongside Caralee.

Over the years, Wilbur was an avid traveler. He enjoyed woodworking, doing photography projects, camping around the state of Iowa, and trout fishing. On most holidays, grandchildren were recipients of Grandpa Wilbur’s woodworking projects which included toys, dolls, furniture and other items. His favorite thing over all things was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His family was always his whole world.

Those left to remember and cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Caralee Hutchens; his children, Mark (Jayne) Hutchens, Eric (Teresa) Hutchens, Amy (Tony) Pieper and Sheila (Tony) Stalzer; grandchildren, Jodi (Ben Baker) Montgomery, Christian Montgomery, Tyler Hutchens, Zachary (Kari) Hutchens, Nina (Timothy) Hays, Nicholas (Sara) Hutchens, Jennifer (Brandon) Converse, Kelsey (Michael) Nilles, Molly (Andrew) Mann, Kylie (Dalton) Ferch, Kolby (Laura) Steiert, Abby (Colson) Frakes, Tanner Stalzer, Kyla Stalzer and Gage (Mae) Stalzer; 16 great-grandchildren with two on the way; and alongside brothers-in-law, Richard Anderson and Ron Koster.

He is preceded in death by his grandson, Michael Montgomery; his parents, Bruce and Avis Hutchens; mother and father-in-law, Garth and Clara Anderson and sisters-in-law, Judy Koster and Marianne Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Wilbur’s name may be directed to Hope United Methodist Church.