In Memory of Darlene Ann Lansink

Darlene Ann Lansink, age 79, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center of Storm Lake, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 3, 2020, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 2, 2020, with a Rosary Service 6:45 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks are encouraged and social distancing rules apply. 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 (Gralapp) Lansink was the first-born child of Leslie and Lucy (Rolfes) Gralapp, born May 8, 1941, in LeMars, Iowa, where she was raised on a farm with her five siblings. She attended Gehlen Catholic School, graduating in 1959 at the top of her class. After high school, Darlene studied bookkeeping and started her career at Knoepfler Chevrolet in Sioux City.

On February 27, 1965, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in LeMars, Darlene married Donald “Don” Francis Lansink. Don, a widower with two young boys, and Darlene started their home in Battle Creek, Iowa, settling onto their own farm southeast of town where they raised their 11 children, ran the farm, and operated Lansink Body Shop together for 40 years. Don and Darlene retired into a new home in Ida Grove, designed by Darlene and built by their son Correy in 2010.

Darlene’s greatest joy was her devotion to the Catholic Church, first as a student where she won a statewide Latin competition and throughout her adult life as a dedicated member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ida Grove where she served on the Altar Society providing logistical support for CCD, funerals, fundraising, and special events and ceremonies. She volunteered bookkeeping services to Don’s Knights of Columbus Council in Danbury, Iowa for many years.

She was an ardent supporter of those who serve in our military. Darlene was very proud of her sons, Jerome and Gerard, who had served, and her son, Mickey, who continues to serve and is currently deployed to the Middle East. She contributed to military and veteran causes in every way she could – from care packages to quilts – and through her active membership in the Battle Creek American Legion Auxiliary.

Darlene’s positive spirit expressed itself in many ways: in her joy for gardening, playing word games with her children, and her love of college sports. She was a passionate fan of both Iowa State and Iowa and only when they played each other did she pick sides. With eight of her children attending Iowa State, you can guess who won out. Her appreciation of nature’s beauty was beyond measure; she thoroughly enjoyed scenic drives, from Iowa’s country roads to fulfilling her dream of traveling the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. She regrets that she was unable to visit her mother’s birthplace in Germany.

She closely followed all the milestones and happenings of her children, grandchildren, large extended family, church community, and groups of friends. Her many years of care and kindness will be dearly missed.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Lucy; son Steven Lansink; sister Diana Gralapp; brothers and sisters-in-law Nancy Gralapp, Billy Lansink, Diane Lansink, Salvador Murdocco, Judy Lansink; and mother and father-in-law, Will and Margaret Lansink.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 55 years, Don Lansink, of Ida Grove, IA; her children Vincent (Sheila) Lansink of Rimrock, AZ, Robert (Teresa) Lansink of Houston, TX, Therese (Michael) Tierney of Southlake, TX, Nancee Lansink of Denver, CO, Jerome Lansink of Oxford, IA, Gerard Lansink of Newburgh, IN, Kathryn (Chuck) Dunleavy of Salida, CO, Correy (Jennifer) Lansink of Johnston, IA, Mickey (Heather) Lansink of Norwalk, IA, and Bridgett Lansink of Chicago, IL; 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; siblings Don (Judy) Gralapp of West Bend, IA, Dennis (Sara) Gralapp of Remsen, IA, Evon Gralapp of Marcus, IA, and Eta (Jim) Chapman of Albia, IA; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: American Legion Auxiliary, Attn:  Doris Jones, 400 Iowa St. Apt. 30, Ida Grove, IA 51445 or Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 804 N. Main St., Ida Grove, Iowa 51445.