Darlene Staebler Johnson Ottumwa, Iowa Obituary

Darlene Staebler Johnson

E. Darlene Staebler Johnson, 99, formerly of Ottumwa, died April 26, 2022 at her residence in Des Moines. She was born September 23, 1922 in Lovilia to Howard F. and Jessie G. Henderson Carter. Darlene married Jack H. Staebler on February 8, 1942 at Wesley United Methodist Church and he preceded her in death on August 22, 1984. She married Morris E. Johnson on March 12, 1988 and he preceded her in death on January 14, 2004. A 1940 graduate of Lovilia High School, Darlene moved to Ottumwa to attend the Iowa Success Business College, working in the office of John Morrell & Co. until 1944. She then worked as Clerk of Magistrate Court, retiring in 1987. Darlene was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church for 68 years where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. She was also a member of the Peace Circle of Wesley, Wesley’s Senior Citizens Retirees, United Methodist Women and Church Women United. Darlene and Jack were avid square dancers and she was a member of the “Dancin’ Grannies” from Albia She was active in Ottumwa Hospital Auxiliary, Ottumwa Women’s Club, Ollepaw Chapter of American Business Women’s Association, NARFE, Letter Carriers Auxiliary and Rose Chapter #112 Order of Eastern Star. Upon moving to Carroll in 2008, Darlene was a member of First United Methodist and United Methodist Women. She enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with her friends at Orchard View and SunnyBrooke. In 2018, Darlene moved to Luther Park in Des Moines. Darlene will be remembered for her presentation of soliloquies, baking pies and sending cards to friends and relatives. She was known as the “noodle lady” because of the hundreds of packages of noodles she made for the church bazaars and salad luncheons. Surviving is her daughter, Penny (Edward) Miller of Indianola; son-in-law, David Vance of Des Moines; 2 step-children, Sue Parrish and Rebecca McKinney; 4 grandchildren, Tony (Michele) Vance, Troy Vance, Elizabeth (Anthony) Phillips and Andrew (Rachel) Miller; step-granddaughter, Sarah (Andy) Hamilton; 6 great-grandchildren, Jessie (Miguel) Guillermo Ortiz, Katie Vance, McKinley Phillips, Tobias Miller, Blaise Miller and Silas Miller; and 3 step-great grandchildren, Will and Lily Hamilton and Grayson Phillips. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Pamela Vance; and a sister, Katherine Carter Matthews. Visitation will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 18th at Reece Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 19th at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Chris Childs officiating. The family will be present to greet friends one hour prior to the service. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed live on the Reece Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Methodist Church or the Kuemper School Foundation.
September 23, 1922 - April 26, 202209/23/192204/26/2022
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Darlene Staebler Johnson
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Obituary

E. Darlene Staebler Johnson, 99, formerly of Ottumwa, died April 26, 2022 at her residence in Des Moines. She was born September 23, 1922 in Lovilia to Howard F. and Jessie G. Henderson Carter. Darlene married Jack H. Staebler on February 8, 1942 at Wesley United Methodist Church and he preceded her in death on August 22, 1984. She married Morris E. Johnson on March 12, 1988 and he preceded her in death on January 14, 2004. A 1940 graduate of Lovilia High School, Darlene moved to Ottumwa to attend the Iowa Success Business College, working in the office of John Morrell & Co. until 1944. She then worked as Clerk of Magistrate Court, retiring in 1987. Darlene was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church for 68 years where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. She was also a member of the Peace Circle of Wesley, Wesley’s Senior Citizens Retirees, United Methodist Women and Church Women United. Darlene and Jack were avid square dancers and she was a member of the “Dancin’ Grannies” from Albia She was active in Ottumwa Hospital Auxiliary, Ottumwa Women’s Club, Ollepaw Chapter of American Business Women’s Association, NARFE, Letter Carriers Auxiliary and Rose Chapter #112 Order of Eastern Star. Upon moving to Carroll in 2008, Darlene was a member of First United Methodist and United Methodist Women. She enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with her friends at Orchard View and SunnyBrooke. In 2018, Darlene moved to Luther Park in Des Moines. Darlene will be remembered for her presentation of soliloquies, baking pies and sending cards to friends and relatives. She was known as the “noodle lady” because of the hundreds of packages of noodles she made for the church bazaars and salad luncheons. Surviving is her daughter, Penny (Edward) Miller of Indianola; son-in-law, David Vance of Des Moines; 2 step-children, Sue Parrish and Rebecca McKinney; 4 grandchildren, Tony (Michele) Vance, Troy Vance, Elizabeth (Anthony) Phillips and Andrew (Rachel) Miller; step-granddaughter, Sarah (Andy) Hamilton; 6 great-grandchildren, Jessie (Miguel) Guillermo Ortiz, Katie Vance, McKinley Phillips, Tobias Miller, Blaise Miller and Silas Miller; and 3 step-great grandchildren, Will and Lily Hamilton and Grayson Phillips. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Pamela Vance; and a sister, Katherine Carter Matthews. Visitation will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 18th at Reece Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 19th at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Chris Childs officiating. The family will be present to greet friends one hour prior to the service. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed live on the Reece Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Methodist Church or the Kuemper School Foundation.

Events

May
18
Visitation
Wednesday, May 18 2022
10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Reece Funeral Home
607 E. Second Street
Ottumwa, IA 52501
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May
19
Visitation
Thursday, May 19 2022
09:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Reece Funeral Home
607 E. Second Street
Ottumwa, IA 52501
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The family will be present to greet friends one hour prior to the service.
May
19
Service
Thursday, May 19 2022
10:30 AM
Reece Funeral Home
607 E. Second Street
Ottumwa, IA 52501
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Final Resting Place
Memorial Lawn Cemetery
3002 N Court St
Ottumwa, IA 52501
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