Darlene Wicks age 92, of Perry died on Tue, Jun 28, 2011 at Perry Lutheran Home in Perry. Visitation will be Fri, Jul 1, 2011 from 12 to 8 pm with the family present from 4 to 7 pm at Carris Family Funeral Home, 1721 Park Street, Perry, IA, 50220. Graveside services will be at 10 am on Sat, Jul 2, 2011 at the Elmwood Cemetery near Minburn. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Perry Lutheran Home, 2323 East Willis, Perry, IA 50220, or Iowa Hospice, 5399 Chimra Rd, Panora, IA 50216.
Darlene was born Jan 2, 1919 in Polk County, IA to Vern and Ruth Newbrough. She grew up in Iowa and retired to Texas so she could be close to her daughter and grandchildren. She was very active in both her Iowa and Texas communities. Many who grew up in the Washington Townshp area in Iowa knew her as their school bus driver, which she did for 18 years and she was also a beautician. She had many interests including: photography, gardening, cooking, sewing, oil painting, stamp collecting, coin collecting, genealogy, 4-H leader, and Sunday School and Bible School teacher.
Darlene is preceded in death by her husband Arthur Wicks and her parents. She is survived by her daughter Bonnie Kessler and husband Clifton, Elgin, TX; granddaughter, Brenda Kessler Zeiler and husband Gregg, Bethesda, Maryland; grandson, Wayne Kessler, Sarasota, FL; and great granddaughter, Morgan Alice Kessler, Sarasota, FL and several nieces, nephews and cousins and a host of friends.
