"To the family of Mrs. Small; My family will always fondly remember Mrs. Small at Spaldings Footwear. She was a very kind, gentle and helpful lady. May she rest in peace."
In loving memory of
Darlene Caroline Small
February 11, 1928 - November 29, 2018
Darlene C. Small, 90, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, November 29, 2018, at home in Maquoketa, Iowa.
A celebration of Darlene's life will be held at 11:30 A.M., Friday, December 7, 2018, at First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 A.M. to 11:15 A.M. at the church. Burial will be at the Mount Hope Cemetery, in Maquoketa. The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.
Darlene Caroline Busch was born on February 11, 1928 near Nashville, Iowa, to John C.A. and Caroline (Kokemuller) Busch. She grew up in Jackson County and married Donald Daniel "Don" Small on January 1, 1947 in Wyoming, Iowa. Three children were born to this union, James, Sandra, and Gregory.
Darlene had worked at Spalding's Footwear in Maquoketa, and retired from there following a 30 year career. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa.
Darlene enjoyed gardening, traveling and fishing with her husband. She and Don would take yearly fishing trips to Minnesota, and each week in the summer they would go fishing on the Mississippi River. Darlene also enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, playing chicken foot dominoes with family and friends, and reminiscing about happy times while looking through her many photo albums.
Those left to honor Darlene's memory include her children, Sandra (Norman) Kennedy of Maquoketa, IA, and Gregory (Kimberli) Small of Maquoketa, IA; a brother Orben (Dorothy) Busch of Davenport, IA; 16 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Donald on April 13, 2002, a son James on June 5, 1998, brothers Rev. Emmett and Virtes, and sisters Irene Wyatt and Leona Westphal.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Darlene C. Small memorial fund has been established.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"Greg, Kim and family, It is with great sadness that we read about Darlene's passing. She was such a wonderful lady and the Small family will always be a bright spot in our lives while in Maquoketa. I remember many a moment visiting with her in the office and seeing the sparkle in her eye when talking about the grandkids and her trips with Don. She was truly a joy to have known and it has been a pleasure to have been able to be of service to her and all of the Small and Busch families. Our thoughts and prayers during the days ahead and I know there is great rejoicing in Heaven upon her arrival. God bless! "
"I am so sorry to hear of Darlene's passing. This earth will be just a little darker without her smile but I'm sure heaven is waiting with open arms. May God be with you all during this time of loss. Wendy Scott"
"Heaven has gained a beautiful angel. I so enjoyed helping Darlene and visiting with her when she came into the store. She was so sweet and kind. My sympathy to her family."
"I remember her from my childhood. She was always kind to us when we came shoe shopping. May God be with her family now and the years to come."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. Darlene was such a sweet person and always had a smile when you would see her. Her family, faith, and friends meant a lot to her throughout her long life. May she rest in peace. Dave and Elaine Luett"
"Loved to watch Darlene work in the yard. She was a delight to talk with. Darlene was all ways smiling an waved."