A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 2 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish – St. Mary Catholic Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. She will be laid to rest in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Haverhill. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Darlene and her family. Ph. 641-844-1234. Visit www.mitchellfh.com for condolences.

Special thanks to the nurses at Polk City Rehab and Nursing, as well as the staff who provided excellent care and music therapy at Hospice of the Midwest.

Born Darlene Marie Klaas on April 5, 1930 in Rhodes, Iowa, she was the daughter of Joseph and Coletta (Stalzer) Klaas. She began her education in Haverhill at St. Joseph’s School until the 2nd grade when the family moved and she continued education in Laurel. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Marshalltown in 1948.

Darlene was devoted to her Catholic faith. She practiced all of her life and was currently a member of the St. Mary’s -Holy Cross Parish in Elkhart. She enjoyed collecting dolls, gardening, watching the Lawrence Welk Show and time with family. Nobody better interrupt if Daniel O’Donnell was on TV either! She had all of his CDs and was able to see him in concert a number of times. Without a doubt, she was his number one fan.

She was a devoted mother and homemaker and had been employed at the Stage Door Deli and Smitty’s Sandwich Shop, as well as doing in-home care for people with needs.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Diana Kimberley (Dave Jansen) of Urbandale and son, Daniel Hughes of Polk City; grandsons: John Kimberley and Jeffrey (Amanda) Kimberley and their daughters, Grace and Avery and sisters-in-law Linda Klaas of Clemons and Cathy Hughes, as well as nieces, nephews and other family.

In death, Darlene rejoined her parents, two brothers, Virgil Klaas and Gerald Klaas; and her sons, Terry and Tim.