Darlene Williams

Darlene LaVon Williams was born April 17, 1928, in Marshalltown, daughter of Paul and Mary (Brindle) Walter of Beaman. She was raised on the family farm in rural Union and attended Hopedale and Chester Country Schools and one year of school in Norfolk, Nebraska. In the fourth grade Darlene went to Union Consolidated Schools and graduated in 1945. Darlene attended Iowa State University where she had the honor of playing her saxophone in the first group of women to march in the previously all male Iowa State University Marching Band. Later, she attended Iowa State Teacher’s College (UNI). Darlene was employed at the Union-Whitten Savings Bank as well as the Hardin County Extension Office.

 Darlene married Dallas Williams of Union April 17, 1949, at the Conrad Methodist Church. Together they farmed for 63 years south of New Providence where they raised their four children. Darlene was actively involved in the business of farming, and she and Dallas made an excellent team. She was a very devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and her family benefited greatly from her excellent accounting, cooking, and gardening skills, as well as her talents as a seamstress.  

Darlene lived her life devoted to her faith, her family, and her country. She was an active and dedicated supporter of many religious and social institutions including Chester Friends Church, Honey-Creek New Providence Friends Church, Union Community Church, Daughters of the American Revolution, Hardin County Farm Bureau and Hardin County Republican Central Committee. She served as treasurer of the Chester Cemetery Association for many years as well as a township election official. In addition, Darlene was an active 4-H member of the Union Peppy Pals and a leader of the New Providence Pearls. She baked countless pies through the years for church functions and sporting events at the Round House as a New Providence Schools Band Mother. 

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents, husband Dallas of 71 years, sister Marilyn Stover Eittreim, son-in-law Howard Lindaman and daughter-in-law Rosemary (Arrowsmith) Williams.

Darlene is survived by her children: Cynthia Lindaman, Marvin Williams, Mark (Sandra) Williams, and Mary Carole (Scott) Cook; seven grandchildren; Brent (Ashly) Lindaman, Laura (Ryan) Wilson, Tim (Shana) Williams, Scott (Nicky) Williams, Katie (Justin) Ludwikowski, Brian (Kendall) Cook and Sandra Isabella Williams and five great-grandchildren; Cole Wilson, Paige Wilson, Riley Lindaman, Savannah Williams and Collin Williams.