February 26, 1931 – June 4, 2025
Darlene S. (Geerdes) Hofbauer, age 94, formerly of Buffalo Center, passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at MercyOne Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City. Most recently, Darlene was residing at Forest Plaza Assisted Living in Forest City and the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills.
A Celebration of Life honoring Darlene will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 113 5th Avenue in Leland, Iowa, with Pastor Eric Hullstrom officiating. Please join the family for a light lunch following the service, all are invited to attend.
A private family inurnment will take place at Olena Mound Cemetery in Buffalo Center, Iowa.
in lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be directed to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Churcb, 113 5th Avenue, Leland, IA 50453.
Schott Funeral Homes has been entrusted to care for Darlene and her family.
Darlene Steinnette (Geerdes) Hofbauer was born on February 26, 1931 in Spencer, Iowa to parents Henry and Katie Geerdes along with two older brothers Harold and Ralph. They farmed in that area as well as farming south of Lakota, IA until they purchased a farm in Kossuth County NW of Buffalo Center. Growing up she attended grade school in Lakota until moving to the family farm where she attended and graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1948. Following graduation, she attended Macalester College in the Twin Cities.
On January 8, 1950, Darlene was united in marriage with the love of her life Donald C. Hofbauer. Darlene and Don worked hard raising two small children while living and working in Buffalo Center. In 1955 they moved to her parent’s farm upon Henry and Katie’s retirement. The farm operation included corn and soybeans, a small dairy herd, and a farrow to finish swine operation. There was plenty of work to do and Darlene and the two older kids helped as much as they could in the dairy barn, farrowing house, baling hay and doing some field work. Throughout these years the family was blessed with the addition of two more daughters.
It was a tough time on the farm so after the 1964 harvest they decided to follow a different career path. They remained on the farmstead and Don began employment at Winnebago Industries retiring in 1993. The family eventually moved to Leland, Iowa in 1969. Darlene worked for years as a chiropractic office assistant in Forest City and later at the Farmer’s CO-OP Association in Leland.
They both enjoyed traveling to see their children and took occasional fishing trips to Iowa and Minnesota lakes and even an occasional trip to the Oahu Reservoir in Pierre, South Dakota. Darlene again caught the biggest fish, a 43 inch northern pike that she had to drag up onto the river bank! Don and Darlene enjoyed walking, tending to their garden, “working out” at the YMCA, visiting with many friends and neighbors, plus attending and serving at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.
After Don’s sudden death in August 1999, Darlene remained in the Leland home until deciding to sell and move to an apartment on Clark Street in Forest City in 2010. She especially liked being closer to the Forest City YMCA, where she rarely missed her scheduled workout days with friends.
She enjoyed travel and took a number of bus trips offered by MBT Bank. Traveling with her daughter Diane included trips to Hawaii, a Rocky Mountaineer Train Trip through the Canadian Rockies, and to see family in Baltimore and Arizona. She enjoyed meetings and day trips with her “Red Hat Society” friends as well.
Daughter Darla arranged for a special weekend in Des Moines for her 80th birthday and to Darlene’s surprise at the interstate exit to the hotel…there stood her other 3 kids and spouses holding up a large Happy 80th Birthday sign! Her reaction to Darla, who was driving, was priceless…. “Hey! I think I know those people standing there!”
The family enjoyed spoiling Darlene with special birthday parties and nearly a dozen family members helped her celebrate her 90th at the Forest City YMCA. All of her workout friends surprised her as well with cake and coffee. She treasured receiving cards, flowers, and especially balloons!
When the world was adjusting to life with Covid, our family began Sunday night video calls. These times for connecting were such a blessing to all of us, but especially for mom. They included kids, grandkids, and even great grandkids. Every Sunday evening since May of 2020 up until the Sunday before Darlene’s death, the family was still connecting.
Darlene had a caring heart and volunteered to help out in the community and church anytime she was needed. Anyone who met and visited with her always referred to her as such a sweet lady who was a joy to visit with and cared deeply about others. She set a great example for the family about faith, family, caring for others, and being frugal with one’s finances. Darlene always worried more about others than herself and would consistently ask us first how we were doing.
Darlene is survived by her four children: Douglas Hofbauer and wife Nancy of Manhattan, KS; Darla Thompson and husband Ted of Thompson, IA; Diane Estes of Overland Park, KS; and Darcy Ringgenberg and husband Curt from Prairie Village, KS. Grandchildren: Carol Weaver of Lake Mills, IA; Terry Weaver, and wife Jeni of Des Moines, IA; Tom Thompson and wife JoAnna of Thompson, IA; Mandy Sticha and spouse Mike of New Prague, MN; Ashley Madonia and spouse Anthony of Parkville, MO; Andrea Ringgenberg of Overland Park, KS. Great Grandchildren: Aaron, Cade, Riley, Grayson, Evelyn, Shaelene, and James.
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