Darlene Emily (French) Hellman, 80, of Cresco, Iowa, was kindly admitted in the heavenly kingdom after a prolonged battle with lung disease on February 10.

Darlene was born to Martha French on November 26,1939. She was a 1957 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Waterloo, Iowa. She graduated from Allen lab technology program in 1958. She married the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Hellman on September 9,1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waterloo. They had a happy marriage until Dick passed away October 13, 2010. She has been a longtime resident of Cresco, Iowa since 1970.

Darlene was a die-hard Hawkeye fan. Dick and Darlene have had season football tickets to see their Hawkeyes for over 50 years. She shared that Hawkeye spirit with her entire family.  Darlene’s football love did not stop with the Hawkeyes. She would watch football games all day if she could.

Darlene was an avid card player. She was in several (100) bridge clubs over years and played cards with her friends and family as often as she could.

Darlene is survived by her 4 daughters: Dr. Deb Oldham and husband, David of Anamosa, IA; Diana Carter and husband, Armando of Rochester, MN; Donna Hovey and husband, Terry of Mazzepa, MN and Darla Iburg and husband, Curtis of Oxford,IA. She also has 10 beloved grandchildren: Em Oldham, Abigail Oldham, Alexandria Oldham, Jaden Oldham, Noah Carter, Dallas Carter, Emma Carter, Casey Hovey, Cole Iburg, and Wyatt Iburg. She is also survived by her brother, Bobby ( Val) French, her sisters: Martha May McBeth and Rosalie (Dick)Humpal and many nieces and nephews as well as her close friends: Barb Prochaska, Mick and Jolene Gamez, Chuck Pierce and Patrick Darling.

Darlene was proceeded in her death by: her husband, Dick Hellman; her mother, Martha French; her in laws,Victor and Marie Hellman; her brother, Donald French ; her sisters, Mary Rogers and Rose French.

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