V. Darlene Arentson
September 29, 1933 — September 5, 2022
Vivian Darlene Arentson, 88, of Harlan, the daughter of John and Leafy (Turner) Leader, was born at home in rural Oakland, Iowa, on September 29, 1933. She was an active member in 4-H and attended school in Montgomery County, where she was a feisty, award-winning guard in high school girls 6-on-6 basketball and involved in band and chorus. She was graduated from Wales-Lincoln High School as salutatorian of her class in 1951. Following her mother's footsteps, Darlene entered Jennie Edmundson Hospital Nurses Training in Council Bluffs, IA, in the fall of 1951.
Providentially, she met a nursing student named Mary Arentson, who happened to have bachelor twin brothers, just back from Korea. Darlene met Gene Arentson in January 1953, on a blind double date, and though they were matched up with the other two participants, it didn't take long for Gene to get things set right. Darlene was graduated from nurses training in September 1954, and she and Gene were married October 22, 1954, in Lewis, IA. They celebrated almost 68 years of marriage, treasuring each day with each other.
Gene and Darlene farmed for almost 30 years and reared five children - she was both a teammate and helpmate - to ensure the family farming operations ran smoothly. She was one of the reasons they were named "WOW-TV Farm Family of the Week" in the late 60s. They moved to the farm adjacent to Gene's folks in March 1967, purchasing the farm as their own in 1976.
After moving into town in 1984, Darlene provided childcare in their home for many years. An accomplished seamstress, she sewed wedding dresses for daughters Dixie and Karla, and daughter-in-law, Barbara. At age 70 she sewed a gown for her granddaughter Jenny, and the dresses for 11 young women and girls who served in Jenny's wedding. She was also a great cook and organized homemaker.
Darlene was active as a 4-H leader, serving the Lincoln Bluebirds Club, and on the Shelby County 4-H Committee. She also participated in the farm neighborhood social group, was involved in Relay for Life Cancer Walk for many years in support of Gene, and served as a Deaconess and Financial Secretary at First Baptist Church in Harlan, where she was an active member. And no one cheered louder than she did at sporting events.
A clear soprano, Darlene loved music and sang at church and with Western Iowa Arts - and sang "How Great Thou Art" with the hospice chaplain a week before she passed. She also enjoyed family camping and traveling. Over her lifetime Darlene traveled to all 50 States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Denmark. She was Gene's faithful companion in his work for Nelson Farm Supply. The two of them were known by most Casey's employees in the state of Iowa, where they stopped for donuts and coffee on weekly machinery pick-ups and deliveries. After her husband, Darlene loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Darlene recognized her need for a Forgiver and Savior, that "trying hard and going to church" was not enough, in her late 20s. She accepted the gift of freedom and salvation offered by Jesus and was subsequently baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in Walnut, IA, in 1961. She transferred to her Heavenly Home from Hanson House in Harlan, IA, on September 5, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Darwin and Dorman.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 68 years, Gene Arentson of Harlan, IA; children Dixie (Kent) Jorgensen of Cedar Rapids, IA; Bruce (Joanne) Arentson of Franklin, TN; Karla (Joel) Berndt of Harlan; Terry (Connie) Arentson of Harlan, and Roger (Barbara) Arentson of Delano, MN; two sisters-in-law, Mary (Arentson) Nichols-Olsen of Marshalltown and Janet Leader of Harlan; and one brother-in-law, Stanley Christensen of Harlan, in addition to her 14 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren (plus a few in the hopper), and many nieces and nephews.
Providentially, she met a nursing student named Mary Arentson, who happened to have bachelor twin brothers, just back from Korea. Darlene met Gene Arentson in January 1953, on a blind double date, and though they were matched up with the other two participants, it didn't take long for Gene to get things set right. Darlene was graduated from nurses training in September 1954, and she and Gene were married October 22, 1954, in Lewis, IA. They celebrated almost 68 years of marriage, treasuring each day with each other.
Gene and Darlene farmed for almost 30 years and reared five children - she was both a teammate and helpmate - to ensure the family farming operations ran smoothly. She was one of the reasons they were named "WOW-TV Farm Family of the Week" in the late 60s. They moved to the farm adjacent to Gene's folks in March 1967, purchasing the farm as their own in 1976.
After moving into town in 1984, Darlene provided childcare in their home for many years. An accomplished seamstress, she sewed wedding dresses for daughters Dixie and Karla, and daughter-in-law, Barbara. At age 70 she sewed a gown for her granddaughter Jenny, and the dresses for 11 young women and girls who served in Jenny's wedding. She was also a great cook and organized homemaker.
Darlene was active as a 4-H leader, serving the Lincoln Bluebirds Club, and on the Shelby County 4-H Committee. She also participated in the farm neighborhood social group, was involved in Relay for Life Cancer Walk for many years in support of Gene, and served as a Deaconess and Financial Secretary at First Baptist Church in Harlan, where she was an active member. And no one cheered louder than she did at sporting events.
A clear soprano, Darlene loved music and sang at church and with Western Iowa Arts - and sang "How Great Thou Art" with the hospice chaplain a week before she passed. She also enjoyed family camping and traveling. Over her lifetime Darlene traveled to all 50 States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Denmark. She was Gene's faithful companion in his work for Nelson Farm Supply. The two of them were known by most Casey's employees in the state of Iowa, where they stopped for donuts and coffee on weekly machinery pick-ups and deliveries. After her husband, Darlene loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Darlene recognized her need for a Forgiver and Savior, that "trying hard and going to church" was not enough, in her late 20s. She accepted the gift of freedom and salvation offered by Jesus and was subsequently baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in Walnut, IA, in 1961. She transferred to her Heavenly Home from Hanson House in Harlan, IA, on September 5, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Darwin and Dorman.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 68 years, Gene Arentson of Harlan, IA; children Dixie (Kent) Jorgensen of Cedar Rapids, IA; Bruce (Joanne) Arentson of Franklin, TN; Karla (Joel) Berndt of Harlan; Terry (Connie) Arentson of Harlan, and Roger (Barbara) Arentson of Delano, MN; two sisters-in-law, Mary (Arentson) Nichols-Olsen of Marshalltown and Janet Leader of Harlan; and one brother-in-law, Stanley Christensen of Harlan, in addition to her 14 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren (plus a few in the hopper), and many nieces and nephews.
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