Darlene W. Stuart Obituary

Darlene Wood Stuart, daughter of Thal and Frances (Sproston) Wood, was born on February 7, 1934 on a farm near Reynolds, Illinois. She was a member of the Enon Baptist Church , a country church, from the time of Baptism by immersion at age 9. She attended Black Oak Country School for eight years and started first grade at the age of 5 ½. Growing up she loved playing the piano. Darlene graduated from Reynolds High School with the class of 1951. After graduation she attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois for one year and then went on to University of Dubuque where she graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor’s Degree, majoring in Music Education. She was a member of the Acappella Choir and traveled with them on yearly tours. Her senior recital she played the pipe organ.

After graduation, she taught K-12 vocal music in Walnut, Gladbrook, Iowa and Avoca, Iowa. On August 8, 1959 she was united in marriage to Robert Stuart in Traer, Iowa. To this union 4 children were born: Timothy, Mary Beth, James and Jeffrey. After her children were older she became the Director of the Walnut Playschool for 10 years. She joined First Presbyterian Church in 1960 where she was a choir director. She also helped with the music at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walnut during the 1960’s. Darlene had the opportunity to sing in the Pope’s Choir when Pope John Paul II visited Des Moines in October of 1979.

Darlene was actively involved in Thursday Women’s Club; American Legion Auxiliary; Cub Scout Den Mother; Presbyterian Women; Historical Society; Elder in Presbyterian Church, the Red Hatters, and was a board trustee for the Walnut Library. Darlene loved to sing, read and travel with Robert. She and Robert traveled to places such as Yellowstone, Nashville, Arizona, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hawaii, New Zealand, Scotland and several other beautiful places around the world.

On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, Darlene passed away at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Bellevue, Nebraska having attained the age of 88 years, 4 months and 22 days. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Robert.

Left to cherish her memory are her 4 children: Timothy (Candace) Stuart of Denison, Iowa; Mary Beth (Dean) Kock of Hancock, Iowa; James (Deanne) Stuart of Ames, Iowa; Jeffrey (Susan) Stuart of Northbrook, Illinois; 8 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; sisters Rosemary Reid of Reynolds, Illinois; Carol McCreight of Reynolds, Illinois; nieces and nephews, other family and many friends.

In lieu of flowers please direct memorials to: Presbyterian Church, St. Patrick ‘s Catholic Cemetery or Peace Haven Retirement Community all of Walnut.