Darlene Evans

Darlene Fern Evans, 93, died peacefully on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at her home in Ankeny, surrounded by her family.

Darlene was born January 19, 1931, to Elmer and Lenore (Clark) Haley in rural Mingo, Iowa.  She graduated from Collins High School with the class of 1948 and enjoyed many gatherings with “The’48 Club” over the years. She married Earl Leonard Evans in June 1949. They raised five children together in rural Collins until their move to Ankeny in 1970 where they made lifelong friendships with their 10th Street neighbors.

Darlene was very good with numbers and worked as a bookkeeper at Jim Hawk Trailers for fifteen years. She worked part time at Ankeny Funeral Home for twenty years serving families until her retirement at age 85.

Darlene loved to play cards and golf and was an avid reader, but the kitchen was her domain, and her cooking and baking were legendary. She loved to entertain and share goodies with family, friends, and neighbors. She brought a full picnic basket to any gatherings at the homes of her kids and grandkids. Her beloved mother-in-law Esther taught her to cook, and she taught her well. Darlene was the most loving and thoughtful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Raised an only child, she embraced Earl’s family as her own. She was a treasure to all of us. She never complained but carried on with her giving ways despite the loss of her husband and three of her five children.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, John and wife Peggy of Collins, IA; Barry and wife Sue of Alleman, IA; son-in-law Chris Evans-Winfield of Baxter, IA; daughter-in-law Brenda Evans of Collins, IA, and grandchildren Ian Winfield, Patrick Evans-Winfield and wife Katina, Matt Evans and wife Eva Marie, Terry Evans and wife Darci, Katie Christensen and husband Jeremy, Josh Evans, Samantha Evans, Lindsay Evans, Adam Evans, Dawn Delgado, Amber Melton and husband Drew, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and her beloved sister-in-law, Mary Ann Wittrock and her husband Gary of Chaska, MN.

In death, she rejoins her parents, husband Earl Evans (1996), sons David Evans and Chuck Evans, daughter Teresa Evans-Winfield, brother-in-law Jerry Evans and wife Bonnie, sister-in-law Norma Mather and husband Roger, nephew Rod Mather, and niece Elaine Anderson.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 15, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (460 NW Washington Ave., Elkhart, IA 50073). The family will greet friends one hour prior to mass.  A private burial will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Rhodes, IA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Food Pantry of Iowa. 

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