Darlene May Page
PAGE, STEWART, TIGGEMAN, LEROY, HILEMAN, ALLEN, MCDONALD
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 10/12/2021 at 09:41:30
Darlene May Page, 93, lifelong resident of Waterloo, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2021. She was surrounded by her loving family at the Bird House-Hospice Home of Johnson County. The previous night, three of her granddaughters had sung to her for hours.
Darlene was born May 20, 1928 in Waterloo, Iowa, to Arthur and Barbara (Tiggeman) Stewart. She attended Whittier Elementary School and West Jr. High School before graduating from West High School in 1946.
At the age of 12, Darlene’s father died from tuberculosis. She and her mother ran the Waterloo Printing Company from the basement of their family home, with each of her four sisters sharing the household duties, and her brother off to war.
Darlene married Robert (Bob) LeRoy Allen on April 14, 1948. They spent 35 memorable years together, raising three children and becoming deeply involved in their activities. She was also a stand-in mom for many members of the Chevaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Bob died in April, 1983.
Darlene married Vernon (Vernie) Kenneth Page on February 26, 1991. They had met 40 years earlier while working at John Deere. The couple enjoyed traveling to ballroom dances, musical performances, and stock car races around the state.
Besides her family, she also enjoyed playing the piano, dancing, tirelessly attending all the grandchildren’s music and athletic events, and attending professional music events. Darlene LOVED elephants as evidenced by her enormous collection she started when her dad gave her her first one as a young child. She and Mickey Mouse were born the same year and he too became a collected rodent! The uniting theme of her life was family, music, and friends. Most important to Darlene was her children and grandchildren, and following her marriage to Vernie, that became equally true for him. They were just the sweetest couple! Vernie passed away in 2006.
Fiercely independent, Darlene lived in her home in Waterloo until August, 2019, when her daughter and son-in-law welcomed her into their home. Darlene’s Waterloo neighbors helped her stay in her home as long as she could and for that, her family will always be thankful.
She is survived by her children Lu Ann (Roger) Hileman and Brad Allen, all of Iowa City, Iowa; grandchildren Andrea (Adam), Rachel (Jesse), Carlye Hileman, Jon (Cheryl) Allen, Joe (Jenna) Allen, and JoHanna (Chris) McDonald; great-grandchildren Everett, Zachariah, Seraphina, Ellye, Aria, Avett, Parker, Lincoln, Wyatt, and Rowan.
She was preceded in death by her two husbands, and her son Robert Allen. “Grannie” encouraged and inspired her grandchildren to do what they loved and to do their best!
To honor Darlene, do something kind and unexpected for someone else. Doing things for others brought her great joy. Consider signing up for the deeded body program at the University of Iowa, as this program was near and dear to her heart.
Honoring her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded, and there will be no services. A celebration of Darlene’s life will be in the Spring of 2022.Memorials may be sent to the family for a direct donation to Waterloo’s Fred Becker Elementary School General Music program, where Darlene’s oldest granddaughter teaches, Iowa City Hospice (https:///iowacityhospice.org/donate ) or The Bird House-Hospice Home of Johnson County (http://www.hospicehomejc.org/donate.html )
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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