Darlene Joan Johnston, age 83, of Audubon, Iowa, was surrounded by love as she peacefully went to her Lord on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Darlene, daughter of Arthur and Vera (Johnson) Andersen, was born on April 21, 1942, at her parents’ home in rural Exira, Iowa. She was later baptized and confirmed at Exira Lutheran Church. Darlene attended Exira Community School and graduated with the Class of 1960. Following graduation, she was employed as office help at Kozy Manufacturing Company in Exira.
On December 16, 1961, Darlene was united in marriage to Larry Cameron Johnston at Exira Lutheran Church. This union was blessed with two daughters, Shari Linn and Jill Renee.
Darlene worked as a bookkeeper for Monahan Loan Service and Christiansen Motors in Audubon for more than 42 years. She later worked at one of her favorite places, the Audubon Public Library, before retiring in 2010. Darlene was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, where she thoroughly enjoyed socializing while folding bulletins and newsletters.
An exceptional pianist, Darlene loved reading, crocheting afghans, making jean quilts for her family, and playing cards with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and dear friends. Darlene enjoyed numerous bus trips with her lifelong friend Carol, visiting almost every state across the country. She fondly remembered traveling to Ireland, England, and Scotland with her daughters and granddaughter, as well as the many trips to Arizona she and Larry made while visiting family. Side by side, Darlene and Larry showed their devotion by always being there for their grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Arthur and Vera Andersen; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Emmert and Betty (Walker) Johnston; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lorena and Ron Riesgaard.
Darlene is survived by her husband, Larry; daughters, Shari (Kent) Magnussen and Jill Johnston; grandchildren: Joshua (Jackie) Magnussen, Carrie (Scott) Greiner, Zachary Magnussen, Emma Christensen, Courtney (Jared) Marquis, Ben Christensen, Nate Christensen, and Isabel Christensen; great-grandchildren: Kynlee Magnussen, Tucker Magnussen, Penelope Magnussen, Ophelia Marquis, and Cleo Marquis; sister and brother-in-law: Dixie (Larry) Greedy; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Gary (Kathy) Johnston, John (Judy) Johnston, Becky (John) Shaw, Shirley Jensen, Kay (Jim) Kjergaard, Jim (Mary) Johnston, Richard (Tracy) Johnston, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Reverend Sean Dougherty will officiate Darlene’s funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Family and friends are invited to gather one hour prior to the service for visitation. A luncheon will follow the funeral in the church Fellowship Hall, with committal services to be held at the Exira Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Johnston family and will later be designated in memory of Darlene. Memorials may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, Iowa 50025.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Audubon.
