Darlene Marie Wilwerding, daughter of Clement (Clem) and Angela (Waltz) Coenen was born on February 2, 1938, on her parent’s farm near Westphalia, Iowa. She attended all twelve years of school at St. Boniface in Westphalia. After graduation, she worked at the Co-op in Westphalia for six years and time permitting part time as a grocery clerk.
Darlene was united in marriage to Ivo Wilwerding on May 21, 1960, at St. Boniface Catholic Church. To this union 7 children were born. They lived in Westphalia for three and a half years before moving to the family farm two miles west of Westphalia to start farming in 1965. Darlene stayed at home to care for her family. In 1985 she decided to go to work at CDS where she continued to work for fifteen years.
She was a member of the Rosary Society, church choir and Catholic Daughters. She was on the parish council and credit union boards. She also taught CCD classes. Darlene loved embroidering and quilting. She made quilts for all her children, grandchildren and sisters. She belonged to a card club for thirty some years where she played cards weekly with a few exceptions. Her faith and family were her top priorities. She loved her family dearly and was always willing to help whenever needed.
Darlene is survived by her children, Gene (Laura) Wilwerding of Earling, IA; Gail (Janet) Wilwerding of Odebolt, IA; Lisa (Brent) Thomssen of Manilla, IA; Gary (Cara) Wilwerding of Council Bluffs, IA; Lori (Roger) Uhrhammer of League City, TX; Fr. Glen Wilwerding of Council Bluffs, IA; Gerry (Nancy) Wilwerding of Mitchellville, IA; 15 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; sister, Delores Rains of Phoenix, AZ; sisters-in-law Dee Coenen of Woodward, IA; Linda Coenen of Omaha, NE.
Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Ivo; parents; grandson Daniel Wilwerding; her siblings: Norman Coenen, Duane Coenen, Joan Coenen, and Yvonne Morfeld.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, November 11th at 11:00 AM at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. Visitation will be Sunday, November 10th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Rosary to follow at the church. Burial will be at the St. Boniface Cemetery. The Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan is in charge of arrangements.
