Darlene Josephine Andreason

1927 - 2015

Darlene Josephine Andreason
1927 ~ 2015
Darlene Andreason, formerly of Arco, Idaho, passed away in the presence of her family Thursday morning, July 23, 2015 in Boise, Idaho.
Darlene was born August 22, 1927 in Arco, Idaho. She was raised by her parents Leo E. "Spike" Hopla and Lydia Combe Hopla in various Idaho cities including Arco, Placerville, Quartzburg and Boise.
Darlene spent her earliest years in the Lost River Valley before her family moved to the Boise Basin in the early 30's. She attended school in Quartzburg, and later at St. Teresa's in Boise. She graduated from Arco High School in 1946. The day after she graduated, Darlene began her first career as an operator for Mountain Bell Telephone Co. She worked at her job until she married her high school sweetheart, John C. Andreason, on July 17, 1949. While John was in the Air Force, they lived near Phoenix, Arizona and Laredo, Texas, returning to live in Arco after John was released from the Air Force. Upon her return, Darlene immediately resumed her career at the phone company. Darlene and John raised four children, Tom, Dale, Karen and Lori in the Lost River Valley where Tom and Dale graduated from Butte High School. John, Darlene and the girls moved to Boise in 1971, which offered new opportunities for the family. Darlene secured a job and a second career at the Idaho State Tax Commission. Their daughters Karen and Lori both graduated from Capital High School during that time. When her husband became a State Senator, Darlene was very active in Legisladies and enjoyed friendships made in that organization.
Darlene's love of the outdoors began with the family fishing the Lost River and camping with her brothers and their families at Red Fish Lake. These yearly family adventures are now memories cherished by three generations of her extended family. Over the years, Darlene and John had many opportunities to travel throughout the United States and the world, visiting Italy, Germany, China, Japan, Korea, Holland, Mexico, Fiji, The Virgin Islands, Switzerland, Austria, France and Greece. Among her favorite places in the world were different parts of the United States, including Maine, Alaska, California and of course Oregon and Idaho. In her later years, she loved spending time at her son Tom's cabin in Placerville and Dale's cabin in Lowman where the visits continued until June of this year.
Darlene and John were avid Boise State Bronco fans and were season ticket holders for 40 years as well as Fiesta Bowl attendees. Darlene loved her Broncos.
In January 2014, Darlene and John moved in with their daughter Lori's family in Boise in order to enjoy the closer care of her family. Darlene later took the opportunity to perfect her ability to be waited on and enjoy the finer chocolates of life. Her children were dedicated to keep mom and dad at home.
Darlene is survived by her husband, John C. Andreason, Boise; her son, Thomas L. Andreason (Karenlee) of Boise; Robert Dale Andreason of Lowman; daughter, Lori Darlene Rouse (Randy) of Boise; ten grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; brother, Harry H. Hopla (Billy Jo) of Roseville, California; brother, Doyle Lee Hopla (Barbara) of Prineville, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews and cousins.
Darlene was preceded in death by her daughter, Karen Marie Andreason of Star, Idaho; her brothers, Roy Leo Hopla of Pocatello, Idaho and Jimmie M. Hopla of St. George, Utah; and parents, Leo E. "Spike" and Lydia Combe Hopla.
Services will be held at 12 noon at the Holy Apostles Catholic Church at 6300 N. Meridian Rd, Meridian, Idaho on Friday, July 31, 2015. Viewing at 11am at the church and interment will be at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 Horseshoe Bend Rd at 2pm.