Darleen was born on July 27, 1942, in Toledo, IA, the daughter of Edward and Florence (Papesh) Prusha. She grew up in the Tama/Toledo area and on June 9, 1957, she was united in marriage to Donald L. Hofer at the Gospel Center Church in Tama. When moving to Marshalltown, Darleen pursued her career as a licensed practical nurse and worked at the Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center. In her spare time, she enjoyed baking and making Christmas candies; but most of all, she dearly loved her family and grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Daniel Hofer (Teresa Struchen), of Marshalltown; daughter-in-law, Debra Hofer, of Des Moines; nephew, Wayne (Vicki) Prusha, of Arkansas; niece, Carol Prusha, of Rhode Island; nephews, David Prusha and Clay (Miriam) Prusha, of Marshalltown and Gene (Cindy) Prusha, of Michigan; grandchildren: Eric (Lisa) Schmidt, Marc (Sara) Schmidt, Daniel (Angie) Hofer II, Amber (Tim) Markham, Cody (Ashley) Hofer, Nicholas Hofer and Nicole Hofer; 15 great grandchildren; sister Gail (Rob) Hall, of Breezy Point, MN; son-in-law, Richard Schmidt and sister-in-law, Jean Bohmke.

Preceding Darleen in death are her parents; her husband of 57 years, Donald Hofer; daughters, Marsha Schmidt and Robin Hofer; sisters, Louise Prusha and Lola Mae Rice; brother, Eugene Prusha; her in-laws, Leo and June Hofer and great grandson, Daniel Hofer III.