Eulaine Marie Hutchcroft, 89, of LaMotte, IA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, on January 12, 2024, at Mill Valley Care Center in Bellevue, IA.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday January 17th, 2024, at St. Joseph Key West Catholic Church with Mgsr. Thomas Toale officiating. Friends and family may visit from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery in LaMotte, Iowa. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, is assisting the family.

Eulaine was born on November 5, 1934, to John and Isabell Shanahan (Lammer) on the family farm near Bernard, IA, the eldest of 7 siblings.

In 1951, Eulaine met the love of her life James (Jim) Hutchcroft at a dance in Zwingle, IA. They married in 1954 and went on to have 9 children, Lois, Lori, Bill, Tom, Karen, Steve, Dave, Don and Amy.  She was an extraordinary mother, able to make all nine of her children feel uniquely yet equally loved and adored.

Eulaine began her career with the US Post Office in LaMotte, IA as a clerk in 1969.  She went on to become the Postmaster in LaMotte in 1977, a position she enjoyed for 22 years.  She loved the interaction with the community her post office work afforded her and was proud to be part of the postal service.  Many kids in the community remember her fondly for allowing them to wait for the bus in the post office on cold mornings and handing out half sticks of gum.  She was also famous for her homemade popcorn balls on Halloween.

In 1999, Eulaine retired and spent her time volunteering, gardening, quilting and enjoying time with friends and family.  A lifelong Catholic, Eulaine with active in church activities throughout her life and attended mass regularly.  Her faith was very important to her.

Eulaine was an incredibly kind and giving person.  She loved her family deeply and was deeply loved in return.  She had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh.  She always put the needs of others before herself and was the first to offer a hand to anyone who needed it.  She was a beautiful soul, inside and out.

Eulaine is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years, James Hutchcroft.

She is also survived by the following:

Her children:  Lois Clasen, Lori (Jerry) Clasen, Bill (Betty) Hutchcroft, Tom Hutchcroft, Karen (Terry) Kilburg, Steve Hutchcroft, Dave (Kristi) Hutchcroft, Don Hutchcroft and Amy (Jed) Erickson.

Her grandchildren: Chad Clasen, Keith (Inna) Clasen, Kayla (Justin) Hanson, Jamie (Missy) Clasen, Janelle (Ben) Haun, Michelle (Jeremy) Budde, Chad (Julia Marambey) Till, Ryan (Jenny) Hutchcroft, Amber Hutchcroft, Andrew Hutchcroft, Cory Davis, and Alex, Anika and Jake Erickson.

Her great-grandchildren:  Aiden and Mila Clasen, Kayleigh Faulkner, Huxtin Hanson, Nora Clasen, Grayson, Guy, Grant and Jay Haun, Kaitlyn Steines, Zach and Gabbie Scott, Cash, Corbyn and Connor Budde, Anya and Ariana Marambey, Gwen Dunlap and Ava Felderman.

Her great-great grandchildren: Emery and Jaxson Steines, Aurora Eiklenborg

Surviving siblings:  Mary (George) Felderman, Chuck (Mary) Shanahan

Surviving in-laws: Arlene Shanahan, Bob Timmerman, Ginny Heim, Kay Shanahan, Charlie Bergfeld, Dellene Till, Georgia (Jim) Willging, John (Sandi) Hutchcroft

Eulaine was preceded in death by her parents, her son-in-law Paul Clasen, and daughter-in-law Michelle Hutchcroft.

She was also predeceased by her brother Paul Shanahan, sister Ann Timmerman, brother Pat Shanahan, brother and sister-in-law Loras and Julie Shanahan, brother-in-law Jerry Heim, brother in-law and sister in-law Bob and Leny Hutchcroft, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Joan and Jim Hickson, sister-in-law Emma Jean Bergfeld and brother-in-law Danny Hutchcroft.

Eulaine’s family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the staff of Mill Valley Care Center and Hospice of Jackson County for the excellent care she received.