Darlene Lavonne Koppin

Darlene Lavonne Koppin, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 5th, at the age of 93. Born on November 8, 1931, in Fergus Falls, MN, Darlene was one of the kindest ladies you could ever meet and had an unwavering devotion to her family and faith. The family will greet friends at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Newton, Iowa on Thursday, July 10th from 10am to 11am. A short service will immediately follow visitation at 11am with a private family burial. Memorials may be made to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Newton, Iowa.

Darlene was the daughter of Eleanor Ethel (Anderson) Reynolds and grew up in Alexandria, MN graduating from Morris, MN high school in 1949. She graduated from Wilmar School of Nursing – Wilmar, MN in 1955. Darlene grew up with a deep appreciation for the simple joys in life that included being with her siblings Don, Audry and Ginny, swimming in the lakes of Minnesota, specifically Lake Henry, also ice skating, roller skating, and of course, dancing.

She married Merlin Eugene (Gene) Koppin on May 26, 1952, in Webster, SD. Together they lived in the Philippines, Japan, and Omaha, NE throughout Gene’s Airforce career before settling in Newton, IA, where Gene grew up.

Darlene was a dedicated nurse and for 20 years worked at Skiff Memorial Hospital most recently on the surgical floor in Newton, IA before retiring in 1988 to care for her three grandsons: Shane, Kayne, and Levi Schwarz. While she took much pride in her nursing career, she always felt her greatest joy and accomplishment was taking care of her grandsons. She was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church and serving in various ways. She enjoyed league bowling and investment club.

Darlene is survived by a son Robert Koppin (Shelia); a daughter, Sandra Schwarz; three grandsons, Shane Schwarz (Rachelle), Kayne Schwarz (Samantha), and Levi Schwarz (Samantha); and great grandchildren: Mercedes, Damien, and Brooke; Eloise and Kamden; Harrison, Lennon, and Baron.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Gene Koppin; her parents Eleanor and George Reynolds; her in-laws William and Clara Koppin; her three siblings; and brother- and sisters-in-law.