Lerch, Darlene

Darlene Lerch, 95, of Vinton, died Saturday, June 16, 2012, at the Vinton Lutheran Home. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton, with Chaplain Mary Arnold of Hospice Compassus officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton.

Darlene was born Aug. 2, 1916, in Central City, Iowa, the daughter of Benjamin and Jennie (Ellis) Willmott. On Oct. 20, 1938, Darlene was united in marriage with Raymond F. Lerch at her parents' farmhouse in LinnCounty near Prairieburg. The couple had been married for 69 years when Raymond preceded her in death on July 17, 2008.

Darlene was a hardworking farm wife and a loving mother and grandmother. She was active in Ladies of Farm Bureau and the TOPS Club. She enjoyed cake decorating, quilting, knitting and crocheting.

Darlene is survived by three sons, Garold (Barb) Lerch of Norway, Fred (Ellie) Lerch of Vinton and Marvin (Marcia) of Waterloo; two daughters, Carol Behrle of Tipton and Connie (Gary) McKinley of Cedar Rapids; one brother, Dick (Arlene) Willmott of Springville; one sister, Donna Peacock of Shellsburg; two sisters-in-law, Agnes Lerch of Marion and Shirley Casper of Washington state; 21 grandchildren; and numerous great-, great-great and great-great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; one son, Charles Lerch; grandchildren, Lori Lough and Raymond Brooks; one brother, Charles Willmott; and two sisters, Ione Funk and Dorsie Wright.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Vinton-Shellsburg Special Olympics.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Darlene and her family.

Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.

Published June 17, 2012 in The Gazette