Obituaries : Darlene Mae Struve

VINTON: Darlene Mae Struve, age 73, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at the Vinton Lutheran Home from complications of ovarian cancer. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 27, 2018 at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton. Memorial services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday April 28th, at the Wesley United Methodist Church with a luncheon to follow. Graveside services will be held at a later date with the immediate family. Phillips Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Darlene was born in Vinton, Iowa on April 28, 1944, the daughter of Lenard and Bernadette (Weiland) Lewis. She received her education from the Vinton School System. On September 16, 1961 she was united in marriage to Kenneth E. Struve in Vinton. She was a stay at home mom for 10 years, worked at Simon's clothing store for 32 years and in the Vinton-Shellsburg High School food service for 13 years. She was a member of the Wesley Methodist Church for 40 years. Darlene was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She loved watching her children and grandchildren participate in activities and sporting events. She was known as Grandma Struve to many of her grandchildren's classmates. She was an amazing cook and her specialty was making homemade pies. She enjoyed spending time at their cabin on Holiday Lake with her family and friends, and tending to her flower garden. Darlene is survived by her husband, Ken, daughter Shirale (John) Hanson and son Jim (Jill) Struve all of Vinton; grandchildren Andy (friend Samantha Avalos), Rob (Emily) and Kate Hanson; Carson, Kacie (fiancée Max Griffith) and Nathan Struve; brother, Lloyd (Donna) Lewis of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; twin sister, Donna (Roger) Higgins of Mt. Auburn, Iowa and many nieces and nephews. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents. In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Fund has been established. Condolences may be left at: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.