Heilesen, Darlene Ione (Jensen) (1929 - 2020)

HEILESEN, JENSEN, HOLDSWORTH, CARVER, SELLHORST, BIRCH, CAMBELL, MCMAHON, JENSEN, PLUMB, MEYERS

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 5/16/2020 at 17:49:00

Name of deceased: Darlene Ione Heilesen (nee Jensen)

Aged: 90 yrs, 9 mo, 24 days

Residence: Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Born: July 12, 1929; rural Defiance, Shelby County, IA

Died: May 6, 2020; Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Private family graveside services: Monday, May 11, 2020; Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA

Survived by: Daughter, Patty Jo (spouse, Don) Holdsworth of Harlan, IA; son-in-law, Lance Carver of Zearing, IA; grandchildren, Hayley (spouse, Steve) Sellhorst of Omaha, NE, Tawnya Holdsworth of Harlan, IA, Andrew Carver (spouse, Mallory) of Ankeny, IA, and Bailey Heilesen of Harlan, IA; great-grandchildren, Jacob Birch, Chloe Birch, Waylon Sellhorst, Gatlin Sellhorst, Arielle Sellhorst, and Cameron Carver; siblings, Donna (spouse, Norman) Campbell of Irwin, IA, and Caryl (spouse, Bill) McMahon of Irwin, IA; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Jensen of Denison, IA, and Evelyn Plumb of Kansas City, MO; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Elmer P. and Freda D. (nee Meyers) Jensen; husband, Richard; son, Bruce Heilesen; daughter, Becky Carver; brother, Keith Jensen

Education: Attended school in Defiance and Irwin (IA) schools; graduated from Irwin Consolidated School in 1945 as Valedictorian at the age of 15. She then attended Commercial Extension School of Business in Omaha, NE.

Religious affiliation: Baptized at Evangelical United Baptist Church, Defiance, IA on April 13, 1930; confirmed at United Methodist Church, Irwin, IA. Member, First United Methodist Church and of the Martha Circle in Harlan, and served as President of United Methodist Women, President of Church Women United, and Honorary member of MMH Auxiliary and as a board member.

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Richard C. Heilesen; Jan. 9, 1949; Methodist Church, Irwin, IA

Employment: After attending the Commercial Extension School of Business in Omaha, NE, Darlene was employed by Travellers Insurance Company in Omaha. In 1948, she returned to Harlan, IA and began working for Farmers Home Administration there.

Hobbies/Interests: Member for 72 y ears to Lebanon Chapter O.E.S. (Order of the Eastern Star) of Harlan, where she had served as Matron, Grand Chaplain for the State of Iowa in 1977, Mother Advisor Rainbow for 9 years and served on the Rainbow Board; In her youth, she was also a member of Grand Cross, Rainbow. Enjoyed belonging to several bridge clubs; loved to bake; quilting, providing each family member with several quilts; with Richard, she loved to travel.

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; pauleyjones.com