Darlene Ida Lenz

Darlene Ida Lenz was born on May 20, 1935, on a farm south of Westside, Iowa, to Emil and Ida (Vetter) Schmidt. In 1943, she was baptized and later confirmed at Arcadia Lutheran Church. She attended Westside Community Schools and graduated with the Class of 1953.

On December 3, 1956, Darlene married Kenneth Dixon. They had two daughters, Cindy and Christy, and also experienced the loss of a stillborn son. The couple later divorced in 1967. Darlene returned to her parents’ home with her daughters and worked at the Darlene Lounge in Carroll.

On May 29, 1969, she was united in marriage to Dale Fred Lenz at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig. They built a home in Denison, where she worked on and off at The Oasis and for a time at the Crawford County Scale House.

Darlene was active in her community and proud of her 12 years serving as president of the Westside Alumni School Association. She enjoyed 11 years of Thursday afternoon bowling, participated in 12 national tournaments, and traveled to all 48 continental states.

After retiring in 2000, Darlene enjoyed life at home and was always ready to lend a hand when someone needed help. She loved playing cards and Bingo, and camping with the DWI camping group throughout the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois.

Family meant everything to Darlene. She rarely missed a family gathering and will be fondly remembered for her wine toasts with sparkling wine, her collection of coffee cups and teddy bears, and her beloved lime pickle recipe.

Darlene was eagerly anticipating her 90th birthday when she passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Manning Regional Healthcare, having reached the age of 89 years, 11 months, and 19 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Ida Schmidt; husband, Dale Lenz; daughter, Cindy Boger; a stillborn son; brothers, Larry (Diane) Schmidt and Roger Schmidt.

She is survived by daughter, Christy McDaniel (Greg Grover) of Sutherland, IA; son-in-law, Delaine Boger of Wall Lake, IA; four grandchildren: Amy Boger (Brent Shipman), Tony (Joani) Boger, Brittany (Patrick) Freund, and Dustin Martinez; eight great-grandchildren: Shelby (Jared) Wissler, Ashton Bryant, Evan Boger (Katie O’Tool), Zoe Boger, Sebastian Freund, Grace Freund, Olivia Freund, Saxyn McCarthy; great-great-grandchild, Lyndie Wissler; sisters-in-law, Marlene Schmidt and Diane Roecker; cousins, extended family and friends.

Visitation with Family Greeting Friends will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Huebner Funeral Home in Denison. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. Burial will take place in the Morgan Cemetery in Schleswig.