In Memory of Darlene Ann Clausen

Darlene Ann Clausen, age 87, of Holstein, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones at the Good Samaritan Society in Holstein, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 6, 2026, at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Holstein, Iowa. Vicar Emily Anderson will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Holstein Cemetery in Holstein, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home in Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Darlene Ann Clausen, the daughter of Charles Albert and Rose Marcella (Stolz) Kohles, was born on June 2, 1938, in Buck Grove, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Darlene grew up in Crawford County, Iowa and graduated from Schleswig High School with the class of 1956.

On June 4, 1959, Darlene married Laurence E. Clausen at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Together they were blessed with four children: Deb, Brenda, Michelle, and Chad. They made their home on a farm between Holstein and Ida Grove, Iowa, later relocating to a farm north of Holstein before eventually returning to the family farm. After retiring in 2010, they moved into Holstein.

Darlene loved her years on the farm, where she devoted herself to raising their children. She found joy in gardening, canning and baking. One of Darlene’s most cherished childhood memories was walking home from school and smelling her mom’s homemade bread cooling in the window. She carried that treasured memory forward to her own family by making homemade cinnamon rolls and Laurence’s favorite - apple pie, along with many other delicious treats.

Many Saturday nights, you could find Darlene and Laurence square dancing or playing cards.  They made life-long friends when they joined two "500" card clubs. Darlene was also a member of knitting/stitch groups when they lived on farms near Holstein and Ida Grove. She was a faithful member at St Paul Lutheran Church in Holstein and belonged to a Ladies Circle in earlier years. Darlene raised AKC registered Boston Terrier Bulldogs as well as other breeds.  When her children were older, Darlene worked at Albertson’s Flower Shop and Albrecht’s Pharmacy.

Family was the center of Darlene’s world. She treasured gathering everyone together for meals and always had fresh cookies ready for anyone who stopped by to visit. She loved collecting and trying new recipes. Darlene and Laurence took great pride in attending their children’s and later their grandchildren’s activities. They were their biggest supporters. They also enjoyed time away with some of their favorite places to travel being Colorado and Texas to visit family. Another memorable trip was to Branson to see Danny O’Donnell.

Left to cherish her memory include her loving husband Laurence Clausen of Holstein, IA; children Deb (Jerry) Einspahr of Carroll, IA, Brenda (Gary) Perkins of Sugar Land, TX, Michelle (Dave) Glassmaker of Cherokee, IA and Chad Clausen (special friend Jen Douma) of Ida Grove, IA; grandchildren Chris (Kyndra) Joslin, Kayla Joslin, Alyssa (Nathan) Ziesmer, Abby Glassmaker, Jacob and Julia Clausen; great-grandchildren Brock, Alexia (Hunter), Madison (Hunter), Parker, Hayden, and Ryker; brother Melvin (Eunice) Kohles of Grand Junction, CO; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Rose Kohles; in-laws Walter and Frances Clausen; siblings Josie Goetzinger, Bernice Stephens, Frances Turner, Luella Lansink, Margaret Kohles, Chuck Kohles, Mary Bonar, Bernie Kohles, and Donnie Kohles; sister-in-law Fern Koeppen and brother-in-law Duane Clausen.