Darlene Doris Johnson

Darlene Johnson, 94, Tabor, IA, formerly of Malvern, IA, passed away July 1, 2017 at the Tabor Manor Care Center. Per her family's wishes, cremation will take place.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Malvern. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.

Family will direct the memorials.

Darlene Doris Johnson, the youngest of four children of Lester Cleveland Hunt and Gertrude (Merrill) Hunt, was born on November 10, 1922 in Atlantic, Iowa. She attended school in Tabor and Malvern, Iowa. Darlene and Mark Johnson, son of John and Stella (McClure) Johnson, were united in marriage on July 29, 1939. Darlene became a mother to Mark's two daughters from a previous marriage, Joanne and Donna. The couple were later blessed with two sons, Roger and Robert.

Darlene worked outside of the home for several years, but her greatest interests were helping Mark farm, gardening, raising chickens, and raising their children. They moved from the Tabor area to a farm near Essex, Iowa where they lived until moving to a farm near Malvern. The couple moved to live in Malvern when Mark retired from farming.

Darlene was a member of the Strahan United Methodist Church and the Malvern Garden Club.

Darlene and Mark were married 50 years when Mark passed away at their Malvern home on December 20, 1989.

Darlene met Raymond Powell at a dance in Omaha, Nebraska one evening. The couple became great friends and Ray later moved to Malvern, where they enjoyed companionship and attending area activities. Ray passed away on April 17, 2010 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Due to declining health, Darlene moved to Tabor Manor in 2009. She passed away at the Manor on July 1, 2017 at the age of 94 years, 7 months, and 21 days. In addition to her husband Mark and good friend Ray, she was also preceded in death by her parents; daughter Donna Longmeyer; son-in-law Wayne Strait; brother Harold Hunt and wife Nellie; and sisters, Doris Wilson and husband Jack and Mildred Cavender and husband DeWayne.

Darlene is survived by her sons, Roger Johnson and wife Lavina of Malvern, and Dr. Robert Johnson and wife Melissa of Mayer, AZ; daughter Joanne Strait of Red Oak, IA; son-in-law Arlon Longmeyer of Missouri Valley, IA; eight grandchildren, Jeff, Tamara, James, Chris, Nicole, Michelle, Vicki, John, Dave, and Gary; 15 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives; and a host of friends.