Darlene Chmelicek

M. DARLENE CHMELICEK

Cedar Rapids

M. Darlene Chmelicek, 95, of Cedar Rapids, died Dec. 3, 2021, at Prairie Hills at Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at St. Ludmila Catholic Church followed by a rosary at 10:45 a.m. Funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. with burial to follow in St. John's Catholic Cemetery.

Darlene was born March 4, 1926, in Chelsea, the daughter of Arthur and Vlasta (Kupka) Claes. She attended Chelsea schools and graduated from Cedar Rapids Wilson High School. Darlene was united in marriage to Joseph Chmelicek on Nov. 17, 1945. She was an active member of St. Ludmila Catholic Church, St. Anne's Circle and the Red Hat Society. She worked at JCPenney and retired from Link Belt Speeder – FMC. Darlene traveled with her husband Joe, who was a member of the Leonard Reyman Band. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and spending time with her family.

Darlene is survived by her children, Jim (Sue) Chmelicek of Albuquerque, N.M., Mike (Kathy) Chmelicek of Hiawatha, Joe (Peggy) Chmelicek of Independence, Mo., and Christine Stolba (Scott Boeckelmann) of Cedar Rapids; daughter-in-law, Donna Boggiano-Chmelicek of Florence, Ore.; eight grandchildren, Christopher, Jesse, Craig, Jaime, Amanda, Jennifer, Melissa and Tim; 18 great-grandchildren; and her brother, Bob (Loretta) Claes of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; her son, Tom; and a sister-in-law, Helen Claes.

Memorials may be directed to St. Ludmila Catholic Church or Hospice of Mercy in her name.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.