Darlene Donna Bowman

Darlene Donna Bowman, age 99, of Coon Rapids, IA, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids.

DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR DARLENE BOWMAN HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR 11 A.M. ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023 AT THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN COON RAPIDS.

VISITATION WILL BE HELD FROM 9:30 - 10:45 A.M. PRIOR TO THE SERVICE AND A LUNCHEON WILL BE HELD IN THE CHURCH FELLOWSHIP HALL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FUNERAL SERVICE.  GRAVESIDE SERVICES WILL FOLLOW THE LUNCHEON AT THE UNION TOWNSHIP CEMETERY.

Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids with Rev. Bobbi Maltas officiating.  Casket bearers will be Darlene’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Burial will be in the Union Township Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Coon Rapids United Methodist Church from 9:30 A.M. on Tuesday until 10:45 A.M. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Darlene Donna, daughter of Estus and Mildred (Coffman) Cretsinger was born on December 9, 1924 in Coon Rapids. Her family moved the following year to a farm southwest of Coon Rapids, and she attended country school. Darlene graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1942 and taught in country schools for three years under an emergency teaching certificate granted during WW II.

Darlene was united in marriage with Gerald Bowman on March 27, 1945, at the First Christian Church in Coon Rapids. Following Gerald’s honorable discharge from the service, they lived on his family’s farm north of Coon Rapids where he farmed with his dad and brother. The family moved into Coon Rapids in 1957.

Gerald built their home on 5th Avenue in Coon Rapids in 1959 where he and Darlene raised their five children. They were very proud of their family and kept busy attending school events, sports, and family reunions, and traveling to visit family and relatives after their youngest graduated from high school.

Darlene had a strong faith in God and was an active member of the First Christian Church for many years and sang in the choir. She was a member of the Garden Club, enjoyed tending her large flower and vegetable gardens, and she worked in the school cafeteria for a number of years. Darlene was also a member of the Gurney Parker Post 356 American Legion Auxiliary. She loved corresponding with relatives and friends and always found time to call or write notes to people to let them know she was thinking of them or praying for them. She loved her family and extended family, music, animals, and nature.

Darlene died on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa where she had resided for the last several years, after living in Park View Assisted Living since Gerald’s death in 2013. She was 99 years old.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gerald Bowman after 68 years of marriage, her sister Madeline Kretzinger, nephew Garry Beilke, niece Connie Beilke, brother-in-law Floyd Kretzinger, her brother Sam Cretsinger, sister-in-law Corrine Cretsinger, her brother-in-law George Bowman, and sister-in-law Marguerite Bowman.

Darlene is survived by her five children: Donna Varchola (George) of Davenport, Mary Beth Bowman (William Jahn) of Coon Rapids, Dave Bowman (Becky) of Carroll, Vicky Briley (Jordan) of Poway, CA, and Cheryl Wolfe (Ron) of San Marcos, CA; nine grandchildren: Jennifer Bradley (Shawn), Eric Varchola, William Jahn Jr. (Kendra), Dayon Kjellberg (Brent), Andria Cossolotto (Matt), Trent Bowman (Ellen), Sara Briley, Ryan Briley (Carly), and Matthew Wolfe (Beibei); and 16 great-grandchildren.