Darlene Mae Louise Havlicek Whittle: A life of love
James S. Havlicek and Emma (Mueller) Havlicek of Monona announced the birth of their daughter, Darlene Mae, on December 21, 1926. After graduating from Monona High School in 1944, Darlene applied for a job with the FBI and received her acceptance letter, signed by J. Edgar Hoover. Her love for Adelbert D. “Butch” Whittle, however, drew her down a different path. After marrying Butch at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Monona on October 15, 1946, she proudly wrote “homemaker” as her occupation on the countless forms we all complete over the course of our lives.
The common definition of “homemaker” can’t begin to describe the wide range of roles Darlene played in her family, her church, and her community. Through the 79 years of her marriage, Darlene elevated the role well beyond the dictionary definition of “managing the household as a spouse and parent.”
Raising three children gave Darlene ample opportunities to hone her skills in agility, perseverance, flexibility, and most of all, patience. While her children would claim they were models of perfection, the stories told about them over the years suggest that their self-perceived perfection was, one might say, vastly exaggerated.
If raising three distinctly “unique” children wasn’t challenge enough, Darlene was an active member of St. Patrick’s Rosary Society and Secretary/Treasurer of the Clayton County chapter of WRLC (Women’s Rural Letter Carriers). Over their lifetime, she was an active participant, alongside her husband, in building their four houses in Monona. She was as familiar with a hammer and a paintbrush as she was with a bowl and a spatula.
Darlene’s cooking skills were legendary. From salads to roasts, from pastries to candies and confections, her kitchen was always the family hub. Her German potato dumpling dinners with roast and sauerkraut (she grew the cabbage and canned her own kraut, of course) was the most requested meal from family members. She taught her children and their spouses the art of making the perfect dumpling—a skill they have passed on to their children. Darlene took candy-making to a whole new level. Every Christmas, the family pool table was converted to a take-all-you-want sweet treat buffet for family and friends.
Darlene further expanded her homemaker responsibilities when she joined her husband in assuming the custodial role for St. Patrick’s rectory, church, hall, and cemetery for many years. She would trim around gravestones while Butch mowed; she cooked meals for the priest and his guests for frequent gatherings at the rectory. They worked as a couple to ensure every part of the parish grounds was immaculately maintained.
As part of Governor Robert Ray’s Southeast Asian refugee resettlement program, St. Patrick’s Parish sponsored a Vietnamese family in 1975. Darlene and Butch were actively engaged in helping the family acclimate to their new American home. They were honored to be godparents for one of the first children born after the family settled in Monona.
Darlene loved gardening–both vegetables and flowers. She enjoyed fishing, reading, and playing cards. Once the kids (finally) left home, her interests expanded into genealogy, resulting in an extensive collection of family history of both the Whittle and Havlicek lineages.
Darlene and Butch spent many summer and fall days at their other property, 47 acres of wooded hills located along the banks of the Upper Iowa River. They spent their “free time” planting hundreds of walnut and fir trees to ensure the woodlands would continue for future generations. Every year, they hosted a week-long “summer camp” at this property for their grandchildren, who now fondly share tales of those riverside adventures with their own children.
Later in life, Darlene and Butch expanded their view of the world by traveling with family to many Caribbean islands, Mexico, Alaska, the Czech Republic, and Germany.
Darlene and Butch moved from Monona to Walnut Ridge Retirement Center in Clive, IA in 2021, to be near their son and daughter-in-law, Doug & Dianne. The many new friends they met joined them in celebrating joyous birthdays and anniversaries.
Today, family members who celebrate the gift of Darlene include: husband Adelbert (Butch); Daughter-in-law Mona Whittle; grandson Travis (Becca) Whittle, great grandchildren Adelbert “Del” and Frank; grandson Brandon (Kristin) Whittle, great-grandchildren Gavin and Adalyn; son Doug Whittle (Dianne), granddaughter Blair (Matt) Patterson, great-grandchildren Nolan, Evan, and Andrew; daughter Diane (Mark) Turczynski, grandson Michael (Marni) Turczynski; Niece Kathy (Geraghty) Pixler and many other relatives.
On January 27, 2026, Darlene joined loved ones who preceded her in death: son Larry Whittle; granddaughter Anna Turczynski; parents James & Emma (Mueller) Havlicek; Sisters Irene (Harry) Kliefoth, Dorothy (Ray) Hinzman, Margaret (Elton) Kennett, Donna (Ivan) Melcher, Adeline Havlicek and Esther Havlicek; Brothers: Donald (Marlys) Havelick; Clarence (Bernita) Havelick; many nephews and nieces.
The family wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to the amazing Walnut Ridge staff, who, from the day Darlene and Butch arrived as residents, surrounded them with love and support.
The Walnut Ridge staff honored Darlene at a Memorial and Procession of Honor on January 27. A family mass and celebration of life will be held at a later date in Monona.
Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Doug Whittle, 4809 147th Street, Urbandale, IA 50323. Memorials in Darlene’s memory may be given to the Walnut Ridge Care Center, The Clive EMS, or Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University.