DARLENE R. PATTEN, 97, of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025 at The Gardens Assisted Living in Cherokee, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Church of Christ in Cherokee, Iowa.  Pastor David Hall will officiate.  Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 10, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa.  Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.

Darlene Ruby (Vannatta) Patten, a twin, was born at home on June 24, 1927 to Pearl Lynn (P.L.) and Myrtle (Gleason) Vannatta.  She was a baptized member of First Church of Christ in Cherokee, IA. Darlene attended Lincoln, Garfield and Wilson schools in Cherokee, graduating from Wilson High School in 1947.

On May 21, 1949, she was united in marriage at the minister's home to the love of her life, Kenneth A. Patten of Alta, IA.  They made their home in Cherokee where Ken was a foreman for Iowa Public Service for over 40 years. They met while roller skating and continued to skate for many years.  Darlene loved to play her saxophone, fish, camp, travel to almost all states, and ride on the motorcycle with Kenny.  She purchased their first motorcycle (Indian) while Kenny was in Korea. They were on one of those trips when Mount St. Helen erupted, riding in ash most of the way home.

Dar was a member of Tone Circle, Order of Eastern Star (Alta Chapter), Lifetime member of V.F.W. Auxiliary (Alta).  She was an avid bowler, bowling in a league and traveling to competitions. Along with some of her siblings, she was an active participant in the Cherokee Community Band. For a time, while the children were young, she ran a daycare in her home.  In her teens she worked at Main's Council Oak Market, serving ice cream and handling groceries.  She remained employed in the grocery and food industry most of her life, working at the Golden Rule, Randalls, Cherokee school food program, as a marketing promoter and demonstrator for various name brand food products, a soybean genetic research processor, and primarily with Fareway Store for over 30 years.  She retired when she was 91 from Fareway.

Christmas was her favorite holiday, sending cards and letters and rejoicing in the birth of Christ. She delighted in Santa's house visits and Christmas Eve drives viewing the city's house lights and decorations.  Attendance at musical events brought much joy to Darlene.  She was raised in a musical family, with her and all her siblings playing instruments.  She joked that between the Vannattas and Pattens, they had their own band. With a heart of gold, her and Kenny found countless ways to help friends and family.  Blood donation and voting was very important to her.  She was passionate about her faith and her family, never missing an opportunity to celebrate or mourn life events and activities with family and friends.

Survivors include:Daughter-Margaret and Dennis Schultz of Wisner, NE; Son-Mark Patten of Sioux Rapids, IA; Grandson-Eric Schultz of Seward, NE and child Mason; Granddaughter- Megan and Billy Prescott of LeMars, IA and children Brody and Quinn Grandson Dirk and Kimberly Schultz of Pender, NE and children Avery, Emery and Henry; Sister-in-law-Linda Vannatta of Cherokee, IA and Sister-in-law Ruth Hoferman of Coon Rapids, MN; Brother-in-law-Doug Patten of Omaha, NE; also several nieces and nephews.

Dar was preceded in death by her Parents; Beloved husband, Kenneth (January 25, 2012); Brothers and Sisters-in-law-Luverne, Robert & Dolores Vannatta, Clifford & Marion Vannatta, Darrel (Twin ) & Delores Vannatta; Sister & Brother-in-law Beverly & Harold Heschke; Brothers-in-law & Sisters-in-law- Tom & Joyce Patten, Neil & Pat Patten, Clinton Hoferman, Virginia Patten; Granddaughter-in-law, Amy Schultz.