Darlene B. Pitsenbarger, 100, of Adel passed away Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, at the EveryStep Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Adel. A funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at the funeral home. Interment will be at the East Linn Cemetery in Redfield, Iowa.
Darlene was born April 6, 1924, in Waukee, Iowa, to LeRoy and Edith Pearson.
She was raised on their farm west of Waukee with her two sisters, Hazel and Nadine, and she attended country school and graduated first in her class of 26 at Waukee Community Schools.
Darlene graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) to become an elementary school teacher in Redfield for 20+ years. She continued her journey as a lifelong learner by receiving her BS in education from Drake University in 1963.
Darlene met her future husband, Harold Dean Pitsenbarger, the night she first applied to teach at Redfield Community School. She and Harold, who were married 58 years prior to his death on July 5, 2004, raised two children, John LeRoy Pitsenbarger of Melbourne, Iowa, and Kay Ellen Vanags of Des Moines.
Darlene continued to farm with her faithful business partner, Jim Thome, until her death.
She took great pride in still having a garden and living on her farm. She lived to see the fruits of this year’s bountiful harvest.
Darlene, who hosted all the family’s holidays, enjoyed having her two children, their children and their children’s children gather at the farm. Her grandchildren, Stacey Pitsenbarger, Justin Pitsenbarger, Amanda Doherty, Christina Sheridan, Melinda Vanags and Elizabeth Jones were blessed to have spent many hours exploring the farm, playing dress-up and word games, eating cookies with her as well as sharing her love of reading and music.
The great-grandchildren, Jamien Williams Jr., Xandria Berger, Ronnie Berger III, Andrew Millang, Riley Pitsenbarger, RaeLynn Pitsenbarger, Tyra Doherty (deceased), Justice Huff, Jasmine Doherty, Anthony and Rebecca Pitsenbarger, continued to benefit from her loving ways.
Darlene continued to welcome additional family members, Todd Sheridan, Micheal Jones, Deena Pitsenbarger and Jarrett Huff to her life. Nieces and nephews from afar helped round out her life and brought her much joy. Her home was home to many over the years.
Darlene believed that you had to be a friend to have a friend and she did just that. When her eyesight failed, many friends and neighbors helped her maintain her independence by taking her to medical appointments, grocery shopping, weekly hair appointments and business trips as needed.
Jim and Bobbi Thome, Jack and Carol Nelson, Cathy Clark and Linda Miller helped her have a full life with stimulating and enjoyable conversation.
Although teaching was Darlene’s profession, she felt service to her community was very important. Her involvement in many organizations demonstrated that commitment. She enjoyed participating in and supporting the Redfield Legion Auxiliary, Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Sorority, Redfield Methodist Church, National and State Education Associations, EveryStep Hospice, Al-Anon and of course volunteering to ensure people had equal opportunity to vote by working at her local voting place in Dallas County.
In place of flowers, the family request donations in memoriam be made to the family which will donate them to Darlene’s favorite charities.
Darlene was an unforgettable woman who lived her 100+ years with purpose. She touched hundreds of children’s lives and helped create a better world for all.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com
