Darlene Strasser

January 21, 1928 - May 26, 2017

Darlene M. Strasser, 89, of Oskaloosa and formerly of rural Rose Hill, died Friday, May 26, 2017, at the MHP Hospital in Oskaloosa. She was born January 21, 1928, in Mahaska County the daughter of Henry and Hazel Russell Hiemstra. She graduated from Barnes City High School with the class of 1945. Following high school Darlene taught rural school for two years. On October 11, 1945, she was united in marriage to Howard “Swede” Strasser in Rose Hill. Swede died September 20, 2002. Together they farmed near Rose Hill. Darlene also drove a school bus for over 21 years, retiring from the school district in 1993. She was a member of Pythian Sisters of Iowa where she had served as Past Grand Chief. She was also a 4-H leader for many years and served on the boards of the Tioga and Hopewell Cemeteries. Darlene enjoyed attending Rose Hill Community Church and First Christian Church in Oskaloosa. Darlene and Swede took great pride in maintaining the integrity of the Hopewell and Tioga Cemeteries. The two of them spent countless hours restoring old headstones and making sure the cemetery records were impeccable. Darlene was a talented woodworker, she enjoyed restoring old furniture and offering advice to her adult children regarding their projects. She also enjoyed playing pitch with many different groups throughout the years. Her family includes her three children, Herbert (Margaret) Strasser of Oskaloosa, Karen Jones of St. Francis, Kansas, and Penny (Jim) Adams of Oskaloosa; eight grandchildren, Hale (Corrie) Strasser, Eric (Melissa) Strasser, Amanda (Jeremy) Evert, Adam (Jeanne) Jones, Katherine Jones, Cassie (Chad) Ferree, Cody Adams, and Sam Adams; nine great grandchildren, Harrison, Erich, Shawn, Jason, and Hannah Strasser, Magdalena and Glorianna Evert, and Charlie and Cora Ferree; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Howard, Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, a son in law, Daniel Jones; three brothers, Jasper Hiemstra, Clifford Hiemstra, and Roland Hiemstra; and two sisters, Virginia Baxter and Alveta Boggess. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 29, 2017, at 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Tim Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Hopewell Cemetery Monday afternoon. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Sunday after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 1-3 Sunday afternoon to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Commission for the Blind or MHP Hospice Serenity House.