Darlene Grace Gilster, 91, of Postville, Iowa, passed away Monday, October 20, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in West Union, Iowa.
Darlene was born May 1, 1934, in Castalia, Iowa, the daughter of Lloyd William Blumhagen and Agnes Marie (Russett) Blumhagen. Darlene was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church where she was a life-long member. She graduated from Ossian High School in 1952. On July 28, 1954, she was united in marriage to Donald Gilster at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. Donald preceded her in death on October 5, 2014.
Throughout her life, Darlene worked at Stumme’s Grocery Store, farm-wife on the farm, at Coast-to-Coast Hardware Store and the Emporium in Postville. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she participated in Ladies Aid and held several offices. Darlene enjoyed embroidery, reading, puzzles, Bible study, country music and playing cards with friends and family.
Darlene is survived by her three children; Cheryl (Robert) Leuenberger of Fairbank, Iowa; Mavis (Randy) Holthaus of Bloomington, Illinois; and Wayne (Lisa) Gilster of Cresco, Iowa; six grandchildren, Jeremy Pankow, Angel (Sean) Snyder, Darin (Stephanie) Holthaus, Brad Holthaus, Crystal (Kyle) Anderson and Joshua (Ashley) Rauk; three step-grandchildren, Lauri (Travis) Parker, Patricia Thein and Robert (Carol) Leuenberger and twenty great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers, Dale Blumhagen of Bloomfield, Iowa, and Gerald (Marie) Blumhagen of Castalia, Iowa; sister, Shirley Saucer of Marion, Iowa; sister-in-law, Mary Gilster of Omaha, Nebraska; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents, Lloyd and Agnes Blumhagen; parents-in-law, Earl and Grace Gilster; brother-in-law, Louis Gilster; and sister-in-law, Anita Gilster.
Casket bearers will be Darin Holthaus, Brad Holthaus, Josh Rauk and Sean Snyder.
Memorials in Darlene’s honor may be given to Postville Ambulance, Grand Meadow Glen, Postville or Zion Lutheran Church, Castalia.
Graveside Services will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Pleasant View Cemetery, Castalia, Iowa with Rev. Daryl Schultz as the Officiant
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.