Ellen Darlene (Boers) McCrea

Ellen Darlene (Boers) McCrea, 100, of Eldora, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at Ramsey Village in Des Moines, Iowa. A memorial visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at Eldora United Methodist Church. Inurnment will follow at Eastlawn Memory Gardens in Eldora. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.

Darlene was born on Sept. 6, 1921, to Howard and Dosia (Carr) Boers in Milford, Iowa. Darlene was the oldest of three children. She graduated in 1939, and lived on a farm in Milford, Iowa. During the war, Darlene worked at Dupont in Fort Madison. Darlene married Paul Kenneth McCrea on Sept. 8, 1942, at Fort Sill, Okla. She lived close to the Army bases while Paul was in the service, until Paul went overseas. Darlene returned to Milford to live, until Paul returned from the service.

Paul and Darlene made Eldora their home since 1957. Darlene worked at the Hardin County Savings Bank for 30 years. Darlene enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable gardens, playing cards with family and friends, going out to eat with friends, and going to exercise group at Dorothy’s Senior Center. She stayed very fit by walking every day. Darlene belonged to the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and Order of the Eastern Star. Darlene was a lifetime member of the Eastern Star.

Darlene is survived by her son James (Joyce) McCrea; daughter Jan (Kent) Shafer; grandchildren Robin (Jan), Randall (Mindy), Michael (Andre), Angie (Chad), Becky (McLean), and Tony; great grandchildren Grace, John, Abby, Mallory, Braydon, and Justice. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband Paul; Paul’s parents; a brother; a sister; a sister-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and a granddaughter.