Darlene Mildred Jellings, 93 of West Union, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Stoney Brook in West Union, Iowa. Darlene was born in Tipton, Iowa to parents Edgar and Mildred (Spencer) Hintz. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowden, Iowa in September 1932. She was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in April of 1945. She attended 1-8 grades at school at the Trinity Lutheran School then attended high school at Lowden High. She attended one year at Teachers College in Cedar Falls (now UNI) and received her teacher’s certificate.
At 18, Darlene moved to Wadena, Iowa for her first teaching position. It was there she met Duane and after 2 years were married on June 1, 1952. When Duane was stationed in Alaska with the Army she and daughter Vickie joined him and they lived in Alaska for 14 months.
Duane and Darlene had three children- Vickie, Dennis and Lori. She was a stay-at-home mom for several years. When they moved to West Union, she began working part time at Connor Rexall Drug, then full time when Lori started kindergarten. Rexall Drug became Steege Pharmacy and she continued working for Ken until her retirement in 1996.
Darlene enjoyed her home, baking and did some embroidery work. She and Duane square danced for over 40 years holding many offices. She was active in her church, teaching and serving as Superintendent of Sunday School at Zion Lutheran Church. She was a charter member of Redemer Lutheran Church and after retirement was an active member at Women of Life. They had many memorable vacations with family and friends.
Surviving Darlene are her three children, Vickie Jacobs of Haddon Heights, New Jersey, Dennis (Dee) Jellings of West Union and Lori (Karl) Lindberg of Clive, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Darcy, Brittany, Craig, Andrew, Sarah, Alex and Elizabeth and eleven great-grandchildren; sisters, Elizabeth Cobb, Doris Lehrman and Margie Ford; and her brother, Robert Hintz.
Preceding Darlene in death was her parents, Edgar and Mildred Hintz; husband, Duane Jellings; infant sister, Barbara Hintz; sister, Luella Potter; and brother, Raymond Hintz.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Tuesday March 17, 2026 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Union, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Wednesday.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Union, Iowa with Pastor Rusty Phillips as the officiant.
Memorials may be directed to the Redeemer Lutheran Church and/or Emplify Hospice.
Interment will follow at West Union City Cemetery, West Union, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with services