Darlene M. Petersen

Darlene May Petersen, 80, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2013, at Skiff Medical Center, under the care of Skiff Hospice in Newton

A funeral service for Darlene be at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. A visitation with the family will be held Tuesday one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Darlene’s name can be left at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Colfax Cemetery next to her twin brother, Donald.

Darlene, the daughter of Henry Earnest and Hilda Genieva (Hittle) Merrille, was born May 4, 1932, near Oskaloosa. She attended school in Oskaloosa prior to moving to the Colfax area. She was employed for several years by Younkers in Newton.

On Oct. 29, 1950, Darlene was united in marriage with Milo Petersen in Omaha, Neb. Milo preceded her in death. She devoted her life to her family and friends and enjoyed playing bingo, polka dancing, painting and embroidering. She and her companion, Tom Oswalt, were together 32 years. Tom died in May of 2012.

Those left to honor Darlene’s memory include her daughter and son-in-law, Vicky and Mike Harmison of Venice, Fla.; her son, Michael Petersen of Newton; her two grandchildren, Amenda (Brad) Van Brogen of Newton and Jason Pink of Mingo; three great-grandchildren: Austen, Devon and Kyler Van Brogen; her sister, Betty Hanawalt of Newton; two brothers, Eugene (Ruth) Merrille of Boone and Harold (Connie) Merrille of Pleasant Hill; and her many friends.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her twin brother, Donald Merrille; and two sisters, Alberta in infancy and then Minnie McKinsey.

Online condolences may be made to www.pencefh.com.