Klinsky, Darlene Y. (Hickey)

Darlene Y. (Hickey) Klinsky, 79, of Marion, formerly of Ely, died Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, at St. John Lutheran Church, Ely, with the Rev. Marvin Mueller presiding. Burial will follow in Rogers Grove Cemetery, near Ely. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW.

Darlene was born May 16, 1932, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Milton and Laura (Lohman) Hickey. She graduated from Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids 1950. She married Glenn W. Klinsky on Aug. 18, 1953, at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Darlene worked together with Glenn on the farm for many years. Family was always important to her and she followed her children's and grandchildren's activities closely. Since she was an accordion player during her own youth, she particularly loved their musical endeavors. Her children's activities also led her to become a 4-H leader for many years.

Darlene served on the Linn County Extension Council, the Linn County Board of Adjustments and on the St. John Lutheran Church Council. Throughout her lifetime, she was a member of the Homemaker's Club, Town and Country Group, St. Luke's Hospital Auxiliary, St. Quentin American Legion Auxiliary as well as other groups.

Besides her many family and volunteer activities, Darlene enjoyed traveling. She camped with the family, took RV vacations with Glenn, their favorite being to Alaska, plus went on many bus trips. After retiring from farming, she and Glenn looked forward to participating in The WMT Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, which they did for seven years.

Most recently she loved visits from her great-granddaughters and was looking forward to the addition of one more to the family in December.

Darlene is survived by her husband of 58 years, Glenn; daughters, Shirley (Douglas) Mott of Batavia, Ill., and Linda Jensen of Cedar Rapids; daughter-in-law, Diane Klinsky of Ely; five grandchildren, Dennis (Amy) Klinsky, Lisa (Nathan) Knutson, Eric Mott, Andrew Mott and Tyson Jensen; and three great-granddaughters, Miriam and Anna Knutson and Kaylee Klinsky.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son Kenneth Klinsky; and a grandson, Jason Jensen.

Memorials may be directed to either St. John Lutheran Church or Camp Courageous.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at .

Published in The Gazette Oct. 3, 2011.