Darlene Gibbs

DARLENE ELIZABETH GIBBS

West Union

Darlene Elizabeth Gibbs, 91, of West Union, Iowa, died Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa. Darlene Elizabeth was born on July 20, 1926, to Fritz and Amanda (Grafenburg) Vagts. She graduated from West Union

High School in 1944. Darlene received her teaching certificate and taught at many country schools, including Eldorado, then worked as a secretary to the bank president at First National Bank, West Union.

Darlene was united in marriage with Arnold Gibbs on April 22, 1951, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa. Together they started farming near Strawberry Point, then later east of West Union. Darlene helped Arnold with the farm work and enjoyed cooking and baking, gardening and canning the vegetables from her garden. She was an active member of St. Peter's in Eldorado, then of Zion Lutheran Church, West Union. She and Arnold retired from the farm in 1991 and moved to West Union.

Darlene is survived by her husband of 67 years, Arnold Gibbs of West Union, Iowa; three children, Mary Gibbs (Brian) of Hiawatha, Iowa, Mike (Cindy) Gibbs of Waterville, Iowa, and Gary (Carol) Gibbs of Elgin, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Russ Medberry of Wadena, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Audrey Gibbs of West Union, Iowa; and one brother, Dr. Bud (Judy) Vagts of Ossian, Iowa.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Sue Medberry; son, Jon Gibbs; and her siblings, Everett Vagts, Herb Vagts, Virginia Schwenk and Ardath Cannon.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 15, 2018, at Zion Lutheran Church, West Union, Iowa.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Zion Lutheran Church, West Union, Iowa, with the Rev. Adam Starrett as the officiant.

Burial will follow at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, Eldorado, Iowa.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa, is helping the family with arrangements.