Darlene A. Smoldt, 80, of Grundy Center, passed away on Friday, December 14th at Creekside Living in Grundy Center, while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice, following a lengthy illness. A Celebration of Life will be held on (PLEASE NOTE DATE) Saturday, December 29th at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Grundy Center, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM at the church. Interment will follow lunch at Lincoln Township Cemetery in Grundy Center. Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice, 310 G Avenue, Grundy Center, Iowa 50638. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com
Darlene was born on July 16, 1938, on a farm near Parkersburg, to her parents William & Grace (Muller) Willms. She and her family grew up in the Dike area, where she attended school and later graduated with the class of 1956. After high school, Darlene attended the joint nursing program at Broadlawns Hospital and Drake University, where she received her License in Practical Nursing. On December 27, 1958, Darlene was united in marriage to Charles “Chuck” Smoldt at the First Baptist Church in Grundy Center, and the couple then made their home in Alburnett, Iowa. While in Alburnett, Darlene and Chuck welcomed daughter Cynthia and son David into their family. The couple later relocated to Monticello, where Darlene worked as a dietician.
In 1966, Darlene and the family moved back to Chuck’s family farm in Grundy Center. She worked many years as a homemaker but she was also able to work right alongside her husband on the family farm, helping with the day to day operations, whether it be helping with transportation or fixing meals! She was a staple to the farming operation. In 1985, Darlene went back to work, where she was employed by Dr. Lantz in Waterloo and later began her job with EMSI, which specialized in insurance physicals and drug testing. She became a general manager and retired in 2000, at the age of 62.
Darlene was a member of the First Baptist Church of Grundy Center, where she was very active, leading many Bible Studies, teaching Sunday school and sang in the church choir and a women’s trio. She was also a member of PEO and was active in the Christian Women’s Club. She enjoyed flowers and landscaping, interior decorating and design and loved to be social, having many get-together’s with her family and friends. She was also known for selling Turquoise and Coral pieces of jewelry, after a trip to New Mexico peaked many local people’s interest in the beautiful pieces she wore. Most importantly, her family came first. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and attended many of their activities. Darlene was upbeat and happy, always a smile on her face. She is now smiling down on all those she loved, and leaves behind.
Darlene is survived by her husband, just shy of 60 years, Chuck Smoldt of Grundy Center; daughter Cynthia (Kent Hall) Smoldt-Hall of Clear Lake, IA and David (Alison) Smoldt of West Des Moines, IA; grandchildren Olivia Smoldt-Hall, Alexandra (Bret) Reyher and Matthew, Katherine and Caroline Smoldt; brothers Don (JoAnn) Willms and Dean (Mary) Willms; sisters-in-law Virginia Willms, Darlene Willms, Gloria Willms and Carolyn (Morris) Mikkelsen and brothers-in-law Craig Smoldt and Robert (Pam) Smoldt; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Edd, Jim & Elmer Willms; father and mother-in-law Eldon & Frances Smoldt.
