Marjorie A. Hier

Marjorie A. Hier, 93, a former resident of Bettendorf, Iowa peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Davenport Lutheran Home in Davenport, Iowa.

Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. A graveside service will follow at 12:30 P.M. on Wednesday in the chapel Davenport Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Figge Art Museum of Davenport.

Marjorie was born on September 13, 1931, in Davenport, Iowa, to Reed and Alberta Ruth (Crozier) Snyder. She grew up in Des Moines with her brother Bob and sister Barbara. From a young age, Marjorie was known for her creativity and remarkable artistic talent.

After graduating from Roosevelt High School, she pursued her passion for art at the Minneapolis School of Art & Design and Drake University in Des Moines, where she earned her art degree. While at Drake, she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma and proudly served as chapter president during her senior year.

It was during her time at Drake that she met her future husband, Percy J. Hier on a blind date on New Year’s Eve. At the time, he was serving as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After his discharge, they married and moved to Minneapolis, where he attended the University of Minnesota for his business degree.

Together, they built a family, adopting a son and daughter. The family later returned to Davenport when her husband accepted a new job.

Marjorie continued to pursue her artistic career from home, producing commissioned works and participating in the Beaux Arts Fairs. She was particularly known for her beautiful Intaglio prints, which she created at the old Annex at the Davenport Museum.

Deeply involved in the local art community, Marjorie was an active member of Studio 15, the Davenport Museum of Art, Beaux Arts, and the Figge Art Museum, where she served as both a Docent and a member of the building committee during its design phase. She also served several years as President of the Iowa Watercolor Society and had numerous one-woman shows. In addition to her own artwork, she shared her love of art by teaching Art History at Scott Community College.

Marjorie spent her final years at the Davenport Lutheran Home, where she was surrounded by compassionate care. Her family is deeply grateful to the wonderful staff there and to the Hospice team whose kindness and dedication were a true blessing.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Kathy (Mike) Lanphere of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; her brother, Bob Snyder of Mason City, Iowa; her brother-in-law, Gene Ostrom of Rochester, Minnesota; and her brother-in-law, Rev. Dennis (Jan) Hier of Willmar, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Percy; her son, David Reed Hier; her sister, Barbara Snyder; and her sister-in-law, Dorothy Ostrom.

Marjorie’s legacy lives on through her art, her family, and the many lives she touched with her talent, generosity, and warmth.