Darlene Belle Holmes

Born on February 22, 1930, in Bode, Iowa. Passed away on Monday August 19, 2024. Her parents were Ralph and Bessie Buck, they would later divorce. Bessie married Elmer Ellingson in the 40's and he adopted Darlene and her older brother Charles. They lived on a farm in Ottosen and moved to Waterloo in 1946.

Darlene attended Waterloo West High School graduating in 1949. In 1946 she met Eugene Holmes. As he puts their story, "a farm girl met a city boy and couldn't get rid of him" at a church group. On July 16, 1950, they were married. She came out to California while Gene was in advanced combat training. They had an apartment in Oceanside, California. She would drive him to training every morning in the fog and then would pick him up every night. Four months later Gene left with the Marines and was gone a year. She was on the dock when he boarded the ship. Darlene moved home to her parent's apartment to wait for his return. When Gene came home from the service he tried to surprise her. She told him she knew he was coming home because her letters were returned. She worked in the office at Wheelers Auto Dealership and Rath's. Later on, at JC Penney's and Cedar Falls High School in the kitchen.  In the 50's and 60's, they welcomed Denise, Doug, and Drew.  Completing their family of Gene, Darlene and the 3 D's. She was a homemaker.

She was a seamstress and sewed several dresses for Denise (who would quietly shorten them in her room to the proper length) and shirts for the boys. She had a garden and canned various vegetables and pickles. She also made pumpkin bread in Welch's grape juice cans which was a Christmas tradition, making sure she made enough that each of us could take a loaf home.

The family took many vacations to California, Montana, Florida, Arizona, and New Mexico. Every summer a week was spent at a Roberd's Lake cabin in Minnesota.

In 1982 Gene retired from John Deere and that following spring/summer they spent much time on a motorcycle making many new friends everywhere they went. They camped in a tent with sleeping bags for many years until they bought a camper that they could pull behind the motorcycle. It folded out into a queen-size bed with a dressing area. Quite fancy!! They rode motorcycle (several different ones) eventually turning their 2-wheeler into a trike with the help of a trike kit. They rode that into their 80's, reluctantly giving it up when Darlene was unable to ride anymore. They toured all the lower 48 states and all but 2 of the Canadian Provinces. Going to Gold Wing rallies as part of the GWRRA was always something they enjoyed.

In the 90's, 2 grandchildren were born, Erinn and Ian. She loved being a grandma!!

Darlene collected teddy bears. Almost every kind imaginable.

She cherished her family and always enjoyed getting together, very possibly directing everyone to their seat at the table. She loved being a director in most everything.

Preceded in death by her parents, in-laws, her brother Charles, nephews Tom and John, niece Christine and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Left to cherish her memory, her husband of 74+ years Gene, her daughter Denise (Larry) Fleener, son Doug (Jill), son Drew (Diana), granddaughter Erinn (Isaiah) Kronebusch, great grandson Milo and his brother that will arrive in December and grandson Ian.

Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice or donors choice.

Darlene's memorial service will be 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Larsen Chapel (Entrance 7).  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of service at church.  Burial will be at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens.  Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home is assisting the family.