"Very sad to learn about Mrs Johnson passing away. My thoughts and prayers to her family. Joanna Gowans "
In loving memory of
Darlene R. Johnson
September 17, 1934 - December 4, 2017
Funeral Services for Darlene will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 9, 2017 at the funeral home. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Burial is in Evergreen Cemetery.
Darlene Ruth Hauenstein was born to Mervin and Ruth Hauenstein on September 17, 1934, in Plum Creek Township, Palo Alto County, Iowa.
She moved numerous times as a child, finally settling in Emmetsburg where she graduated high school. Dar enjoyed horse-back riding, roller-skate dancing, and swimming. Always full of energy, she was in band, chorus, and glee club, choir, mixed choir, operetta, and church choir.
Darlene married Leonard Dale Johnson on Dec. 14, 1952.
They had six children and in September of 1968, they added nephews Kenton Harry and Michael Dana Hilton making a family of ten sitting down to the massive (bowed-in-the-middle) dining room table.
While raising her children, Darlene worked her way through school and earned her accounting degree. She was Director of Home Health Aides for seven counties for many years. She did accounting for several businesses. She worked for the local medical offices where she learned computer and assisted with the conversion of the medical offices to digital.
As an adult, Darlene loved dancing, bowling, playing the piano, working jigsaw puzzles and seeing her extended family as much as possible.
Darlene was proceeded in death by her husband, Leonard Dale Johnson; as well as her nephew, Kent Hilton, whom she raised and loved as a son.
She leaves behind loving children and grandchildren: Dave (Anne); Diane & Cheryl; Cliff (Nancy); Linda Anania (Tom), and her daughters Megan (Chad) Stephens and Kayla Hartsock; Paul (Virginia) and their children Erik and Allyse (Matt) Sullivan; Kent's widow, Renae Hilton and their children Jonas, Jacob, Jericho and Sierianna; and numerous great-grandchildren; sisters Joyce Muller, Lois Lowman and brother Russ Hauenstein.
Tributes
"Deepest sympathy to all of Darlene's family. I worked for Darlene doing payroll for her Home Health Aides back in the late 70's. She was a super boss. It was one of my first jobs out of college. Darlene was amazing. She was there to mentor my professional development as well as the relationship I had just started with my husband, John. Your mom will be missed by many. Our deepest sympathy. "
"You are all in my thoughts and prayers. To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is to never die."
"Condolences to all of Darlene's family. It was always a pleasure to see her & chat a little when we were out walking our dogs. With sincere sympathy, Judy and Dave Nixon"
"We are so sorry for your loss."
"My Mom. My best friend."
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"Our family"
"Always enjoyed teasing Darlene~! I'll always remember when you all lived on the farm Darlene came home from town with groceries and parked the station wagon next to the gate to the house and was unloading and with a few bags in her hands was walking into the house ~ when the car started rolling down hill towards the machine shed and Leonard went running to jump in the car and stopped it. A women, mom ,aunt, and a grandmother. A Full circle of life.. My condolences, Sincerely, Rog. "
"Whenever I saw Darlene she always had a smile for me. I will miss her. We will be thinking and praying for the family. "