Darlene Mae Erickson

Darlene Erickson, 90, of Ames, Iowa, went home to the Lord on July 27, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at Stavanger Lutheran Church in Garden City, Iowa. Visitation will be held beginning at 10:30 A.M. with the funeral beginning at 12:00 P.M. Following the service will be a graveside committal service held at Warren Township Cemetery in McCallsburg, Iowa, Afterwards, the family invites guests to join them back at Stavanger Lutheran Church for a luncheon and time of fellowship and remembrance of Darlene.
Darlene was born November 4, 1932 in Kelley, Iowa to Glenn and Lyda(Erickson) Klonglan. She attended high school in Slater, Iowa. She goes down in Slater history as the starting guard on her school's basketball team, helping them win the 1950 State Championship. Darlene graduated on May 26, 1950, a very eventful day in her life, because that very same day, she was wed to the love of her life, Selmer "Sam" Erickson, with whom she spent 59 happy years. Darlene had many interests. She belonged to the women's division of Gideons International and was a longstanding member of Stavanger Lutheran Church in Garden City. She adored embroidery and cross-stitch, stitching many quilts in her time. But most of all, she loved helping Sam around their homestead and raising their four children, Tim, Sherry, Connie, and Tammy. Above all, Darlene loved and cherished being a wife and mother.
"There aren't enough words to describe our mom. She had a lovely spirit and a kind heart, with a wink in her eye that we all loved. Her focus wasn't working outside of the home as much as it was nurturing her family, tending the garden, and working alongside our dad, the love of her life. She was a tender, hardworking, Christian wife and mother. From walking beans to shelling corn with dad and us kids, she was always there to support, to love, and defend her family, always there in good times and hard seasons. From an A on a report card or a D, Mom was proud of who we all were. Mom was a good teacher and a wonderful cook, a master at Kringla and a flaky pie crust. Mom made many cross-stitch quilts which we will all treasure, she was kind and sweet to all who crossed her path. The world was a better place because of the love she showed our family.
Mom answered the call by Jesus that it was time to come home, Time to dance in the sunlight of Heaven. Time to find again, the love of her life who's waiting at the gate for her. Now they stand together, basking in the glory of God. Waiting and watching for the rest of their family to come home. Where we will all be together forever in eternal bliss, at the feet of our Creator, Lord, and Savior. We will miss you, Mom, but we know we will see you again, lovely and beautiful as we will always remember you. Out of sight but never gone."
Those left to cherish Darlene's memory include her children Tim (Pat) Erickson of McCallsburg, Sherry Patterson of Ames, Connie Ellingson of Ames, and Tammy (Don) Williams of Ames; grandchildren Brian (Jen) Erickson of Boone, Jason (Katie) Erickson of McCallsburg, Christopher Erickson of McCallsburg, Adam (Brandi) Erickson of McCallsburg, Daniel Patterson of Roland, Jolene Johnson (Bob Myer) of Ankeny, Nicholas (Pam) Patterson of Nevada, Jarrod Patterson (girlfriend Tracy Thompson) of Nevada, Eric Ellingson (girlfriend Alix Guillaume) of Ames, Michael (Alison) Williams of Gilbert, Matthew Williams of Ames, and Haley Williams of Chicago; 13 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way; and brother Marlin (Shirley) Klonglan of Nevada.
She is preceded death by the love of her life Selmer "Sam" Erickson; her parents, Glenn and Lyda Klonglan; infant son Daniel Sam Erickson; brother Arlen "Butchie" Klonglan; and son-in-law Charles Ellingson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.