Darlene Heins

Darlene Ruth Heins of West Union died peacefully at her home on the evening of Jan. 26. She was 84.

Darlene was born March 17, 1933, in West Bend, Iowa, to Mollie and Eli Schneider. 

Most of her childhood was spent in Elgin, where she graduated from high school and worked in the office for Dr. Henry Wolf. 

She married Robert Heins on Jan. 21, 1951, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Elgin. She and Bob recently celebrated 67 years of marriage.

She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.

Darlene raised her family in two side-by-side houses on Auburn Street, both built by husband Bob. She loved keeping an immaculate house at both addresses. She specialized in decorating for the seasons, especially autumn, Christmas, spring, and summer. Every room was transformed every season with pictures, flowers, and quilts. She was a mother and homemaker and, briefly, a part-time employee at the state liquor store. 

She also loved playing Scrabble, Sequence, euchre, and five hundred. As her extended family grew and spread out across the country, Darlene enjoyed following their exploits on Facebook. She enjoyed reading fiction, and she specially liked to go shopping with her sister-in-law Elaine Jermeland of West Union.

Darlene is survived by her husband Robert, three children, nine grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.  

Her son Michael and Barb (Einck) of West Union have four children: Chris of Festina, Derek of West Union, Justin of West Union, and Erin of Ossian. Chris and Ashlyn (Backes) are the parents of Mason, Kellan, and Everly. Derek and Jill (Kuehner) have Hilton, Preston, and Lynston. Justin and Brittany (Buddenberg) are the parents of Decklyn, Beckett, Schuler, and Vera. Erin and Kyle Tieskoetter have Reese and Quinn.

Darlene’s daughter Diane and Roger Munns of Des Moines have three children: Mollie of New Orleans, Alex of Chicago, and Andres of Miami. Mollie and Robert Wallace are the parents of Beau. Andres and Amber (Williams) are the parents of Lorelei, Emma, Sabrina, and Nico. Alex is married to Sarah Minkus. 

Darlene’s daughter Rhonda and Dave Robinson of Hugo, Okla., are the parents of Cory, Brooke, and Megan. Cory and Jackie (Hollingsworth) of Oklahoma City are the parents of Hayden and Grayson. Brooke and Rodney Cox of Oklahoma City are the parents of Kingston. Megan lives in Denver, Colo.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at Zion Lutheran Church in West Union. Lunch will be served following.

Visitation with family will precede the service at 9 a.m.

For those who cannot attend Thursday services, the family will receive friends and family at their home, 304 Auburn St., on Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. 

Darlene will be missed. 5u5