Darlene 'Dar' Klein

DARLENE "DAR" JANICE KLEIN

Waukon

11/12/1942 5/26/2022

Dar loved to travel the world; she had lots of vacations and what sights she had seen. She has been in over 35 countries. She wanted to let you know she has taken her last trip. She received a call, "one trip of a lifetime" and one she can't refuse. She won't be returning from this trip but this trip comes with spectacular accommodations. She will have a reunion with family and friends that she hasn't seen in a long time. What a celebration this will be!

Darlene "Dar" Janice (Larson) Klein, 79, of Waukon, Iowa, died Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Veterans Memorial Hospital of gastric cancer.

Darlene was born Nov. 12, 1942, in Waukon, Iowa, to Leonard and Thelma (Moen) Larson. She was baptized and confirmed at Glenwood Lutheran Church. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1960. She married Gary Klein in 1960, to this union four children were born. They later divorced but remained close friends throughout her life.

She met Merton Phipps in 1987, their first date was at a Willie Nelson concert. He was the love of her life for 35 years. Together they lived and loved life. They traveled the world, and had many laughs and good times with friends and family.

Darlene loved her Lord and Savior. She read Jesus Calling every day. She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church. Family and faith were important to her.

Dar enjoyed her backyard pool and having friends and family over. She loved to play poker and had many card games with friends. She adored her brothers and sister and loved spending time with them and their children.

Dar worked in and managed many bars throughout her lifetime, some included, Dar's Place, Paddy McQ's, Gin Mill and Club Ten. She touched many lives. All who remember her are asked to celebrate her life in their own way, raising a glass of their favorite drink in her memory would be quite appropriate.

She is survived by her hubby, Merton Phipps; her children, Machelle (Jerry) Bulman; Dawn Peterson, Gregg Klein and Gary Klein; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Her siblings: Gladys Howe, Denton Texas, Lorraine Wright of Cedar Falls, Markeata Schuler of Waterloo, Iowa, Anna Marie (Jerry Ewing) of Waterville, Iowa, Harry Larson of McGregor, Iowa, Daryl (Ellen) Larson of Waverly, Iowa, and David (Linda) Larson of Trenton, N.J.

She was preceded in death her parents, four sisters, one brother and a daughter-in-law.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 2, at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon, Iowa. Friends may call prior to services from 8 to 11 a.m. at the church.

Instead of flowers, Dar would hope that you will do an unexpected act of kindness for someone in her name.