Darlene Alexander

MASON CITY | Darlene Alexander, 88, of Mason City, was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Darlene's family will celebrate her life with a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Kathy Graves officiating. Inurnment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements. Darlene's body has been cremated in accordance with her wishes.

The family suggest memorials to the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Darlene Bonnie Hagen was born on March 23, 1927, to Emil and Frances (Samuelson) Hagen on a farm in Hancock County, the second youngest of six children. She attended grade schools in Miller and Hayfield and graduated from Ventura High School in 1946.

On Sept. 30, 1949, Darlene was united in marriage to Herbert Alexander at St. John's Lutheran Church in Northfield, Minnesota. They were blessed with three children; Douglas, Deborah and David during 65 wonderful years of marriage. Darlene lived in Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana while her husband was in the Navy and also while he attended college before the couple moved back to Iowa in 1958.

Darlene was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. After her children were grown, she worked in fashions at Damon's Department Store, as a home health aide for Cerro Gordo County Health Department, was a news correspondent for the Des Moines Register for 25 years, and was one of the first women hired at McDonald's Restaurant. She and Herb owned and managed several apartment buildings where she put her decorating and fix-it skills to work.

Darlene learned the love of sewing from her mother, a professional seamstress, and sewed clothes for her children and made quilts for her grandkids. She has belonged to the North Iowa Quilters Guild since it began, and loved to quilt and make craft items with her friends. She enjoyed many excursions to visit quilt shows and quilt shops. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she belonged to the Ladies Circle and helped make lefse for the church bazar. She was a volunteer for R.S.V.P. and a member of Christian Women's Club.

Growing up on a farm sparked Darlene's interest in growing things. She loved to be outside in her flower garden. In her younger years she enjoyed growing and canning the vegetables from her large garden. Darlene loved big family gatherings, entertaining family and friends, playing cards, listening to music, and dancing at the Surf Ballroom where she met her husband, Herb.

Darlene and Herb loved to travel in their RV and took many trips all over the United States. They especially enjoyed taking their grandchildren on many trips over the years. They also spent 19 warm winters in Tucson, Arizona, enjoying meeting new people and making lasting friendships.

Darlene served as a loyal caregiver for many years to her husband, Herb, as he suffered with diabetes.

Left to cherish her memory is Herb, her loving husband of 65 years; sons Douglas (Jean Whalen) of Arkansas, David of Davenport; daughter Deborah (John) Walters of Nebraska; brother Eldon (Rozella) Hagen of Forest City; sister-in-law Agnes Hagen of Cedar Rapids; grandsons Peter (Lori) Alexander of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Alexander (Kylee) Willoughby of Timnath, Colorado, Mark (Sara) Willoughby of Denver, Colorado, and Stephen Willoughby of Denver, Colorado; great-grandchildren Presley Alexander, Austin, Weston, and Elsie Willoughby; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Frieda Hagen and Elaine Beard; and brothers Charles Hagen and Donald Hagen.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City; 641-423-2372.

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