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Whitaker, Darlene 85

Darlene Whitaker, 85, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away on Friday, July 1, 2016, at the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, with her loving family by her side.

Funeral services for Darlene will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home with Pastor Nan Smith officiating.  Public visitation will be held from 1:30 p.m. until services begin, where Darlene’s family will be present to greet friends.  Memorial contributions may be directed in Darlene’s name to her family, which will later be designated to the West Marshall Scholarship Fund.  For further information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Darlene and her family.

Darlene Joan Binford was born on April 7, 1931, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the daughter of Samuel Alfred and Minnie Mae (Zednichek) Binford.  She was raised and educated in the Clemons School District, graduating from Clemons High School.  Darlene was united in marriage to the love of her life, Ora (Bud) Whitaker, on December 10, 1950, in Minerva, Iowa.  From this union three children were born: Kay, Kevin and Kyle.  Bud and Darlene farmed together in the State Center area for 57 years. They retired and moved to Marshalltown in 2007.  The last four years of her life were spent in assisted living facilities in Ankeny and Urbandale.

Darlene was a dedicated wife, mother and friend, spending most of her married life as a homemaker and working alongside Bud on the family farm. She had a passion for gardening, cooking, baking, lawn care, canning, following her grandkids sporting events and helping others (including volunteer work at MMSC).  The most important thing in her life was spending time with her family and friends. 

Left to cherish Darlene’s memory are her children: Kay (Fred) Wieck, Kevin (Becky) Whitaker and Kyle (Dawn) Whitaker; grandchildren: Kimberly (Brian) Krogstad, Kristi Thoman, Justin (Jeraco) Whitaker, Jared (Lindsay) Whitaker, Wade Whitaker, Cole Whitaker, Riley Whitaker, Brandon Angus, Reagan Angus; great-grandchildren: Reed Krogstad, Grant Krogstad, Drake Whitaker, Cael Whitaker, Aidra Whitaker, Finn Thoman and Nora Thoman.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ora (Bud) Whitaker; parents: Samuel Alfred Binford and Minnie Mae Binford; one sister: Marian Buschbom.

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