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Darlene Klatt
December 18, 1933 - April 6, 2020

Darlene Louise Klatt, 86, of Cedar Falls and formerly of Oelwein passed away on Monday, April 6, 2020.  The family will greet friends from 9:30-10:30 AM on Tuesday September 8, 2020 at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein.  Memorial services will then begin at 10:30 AM.

Expressions of sympathy and memorials may be sent to Howard Klatt, 5018 S Main St Apt 29, Cedar Falls, IA 50613-7489.

Darlene was born on December 18, 1933, in Cherokee, IA to Louis and Olive Larson.  She was raised on an acreage west of Cherokee and attended country school through the 6th grade until starting 7th grade at the junior high.  Unbeknownst to Darlene, her classmate Howard Klatt would become her future husband, and this was just the beginning of their love story.  When the couple first met they became friends and maintained their friendship throughout school. 

Darlene attended and graduated from the Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa).  After graduation she moved to Algona and taught 6th grade.  Howard joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Mississippi and in November of 1954 wrote a letter to Darlene.  Their relationship grew with letters back and forth until July when they spent his leave together and became officially engaged.  The couple maintained a long distance relationship for the next year while Darlene taught 6th grade in Storm Lake.  On June 17, 1956, they were united in marriage at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee.  Darlene became an Air Force wife and the couple resided in Alpena, Michigan and later Detroit, where their first son Tim was born.  In the summer of 1958 they moved back to Cherokee after Howard was discharged from the Air Force and later moving to Cedar Falls so he could finish his teaching degree at Iowa State Teachers College.  Children Dan and Terri were born and then the family moved to Oelwein in 1961 after Howard accepted a teaching position.  Darlene and Howard were residents of Oelwein from 1961 until fall of 2017 when they moved to the Western Home in Cedar Falls.

Darlene taught special education at Wings Park Elementary School for 20 years.  She was a wonderful teacher but also an extremely hard worker and in addition to teaching worked various part time jobs.  She also taught adult basic education classes in the evenings for 10 years.  Howard and Darlene had four more children after moving to Oelwein: Deb, Mike, Marc and Kelly.  Taking care of her family was the upmost importance to Darlene.  She was a very active mother and made sure to be in attendance of all 7 kid’s activities and that extended to later in life when she made sure to be present for her grandchildren’s activities. She really enjoyed sports; especially golf and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes.  Darlene was very fond of “games” and very organized when it came to compiling games at family gatherings (often making up her own).

Darlene’s competitive side really shined through when it came to golf.  She was on a golf league for numerous years and really enjoyed playing golf up into her 80’s.  Golf was a common love with Darlene and Howard; that love of golf was passed onto their children and their families.

Darlene was an avid reader and also enjoyed writing.  She was a member of the OWLS writing club for many years.  Darlene never forgot to send out birthday/holiday cards and those will be cherished and missed.  She was a member of the Christ United Presbyterian Church and very involved in church activities and teaching Sunday school.  Darlene had an incredibly strong faith that she openly shared.

Darlene had so much unconditional love.  She genuinely cared about the happiness of others and really just loved laughing and hearing laughter.  She was the matriarch of her family and the glue that kept everyone together because all she ever wanted was for everyone to get along. She had a heart of gold and will always be remembered for the love, support, and joy she brought into this world.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 64 years in June, Howard Klatt; children: Tim (Cindy) Klatt, Dan (Sandi Tokheim Barry) Klatt, Mike (Amy) Klatt, Terri (Kevin) Makinster, Deb (Al) Price and Marc (Vickie) Klatt; son-in-law, Darrin Amundson; 27 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren and one on the way; brother, Roger (Cheryl) Larson; sister-in-law, Lois Klatt and extended family and many friends.

She was reunited in heaven with her youngest daughter, Kelly Amundson; parents Louis and Olive Larson; in-laws, Howard (Evelyn) Klatt; sister, Janet Sivinski and brother-in- law, Bob Klatt.

 

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David Poggenklass on September 17, 2020 at 5:20 AM said:

Mr. Klatt, I am sorry to hear of your wife's passing. Please accept my sympathy on your loss. Your former student, & retired teacher of 33 years.

Dave Poggenklass
Joane and John Amick on April 20, 2020 at 2:38 PM said:

Harold and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. What a beautiful tribute to one special lady! She was loved by so many.

Sending our sympathy,
Joane and John
Leon Klotz, Cherokee, Iowa on April 15, 2020 at 3:21 PM said:

Howard and Family,

I seen Darlene's obituary in the Cherokee paper, you have my sympathy in the loss of your wife and mother. I was a neighbor to Evelyn Klatt in the Ballantyne apartments. Evelyn and I became good friends, I enjoyed her as a neighbor and a great friend. I remember times when you came to visit your mother and that is when I meet you, Darlene and your family. Darlene did many things for many people, she will be missed, you have the memories with you now.
Brett, Michelle Klatt and Family on April 10, 2020 at 8:45 AM said:

Howard and Family,
Our deepest sympathies love and prayers. Darlene was a wonderful loving member of the family and will be missed more than words can say.
Sheryl, Richard & Dalene Gosse on April 9, 2020 at 11:56 PM said:

Howard & Family,we are sad for your loss, Darlene is at peace now,home w/Kelly,your angels in heaven watching over you daily Many of my classmates in '69 remember you as their golf coach, you both as good friends,neighbors. All in Oelwein will always be here for you all,treasure your friendships in yrs to come. Your friends and family are hear for you,be close w/all family and your new Oelwein neighbors.You both were well liked in our community, glad you are near your family.
Shirley Grauer Larson on April 9, 2020 at 1:56 PM said:

Howard to you and family my deepest sympathy
Shirley Grauer Larson on April 9, 2020 at 1:54 PM said:

Howard to you and family my deepest sympathy
Colleen & Dave Irvine on April 9, 2020 at 7:08 AM said:

To the Klatt family,
Our sincere condolences to your whole family. Darlene was such a kind, generous, loving soul. Her family and her faith meant the world to her, and it was evident in how she lived her life. She will be missed, by MANY.
Our love goes out to all of you, and we pray for strength and healing.
Jackie Williams on April 8, 2020 at 9:40 PM said:

My heart is broken, Darlene was my oldest friend. As little girls we were in Sunday School together at Bethlehem Lutheran in Cherokee IA.Jr high and High School at Wilson High, class of 52. She was honored to be our Home Coming Queen. We have kept in touch all of these years, letters, phone calls and class reunions.She was so special. Howard,love and hugs to you all.
Mona Grasso on April 8, 2020 at 9:32 PM said:

This brings tears to my heart! Sending love and prayes to Howard and family. She was such a beautiful soul!
Beth Klatt-Gill on April 8, 2020 at 5:06 PM said:

Uncle Howard and Family.
My deepest sympathies are with you all at this very difficult time. She will be greatly missed by the many people She touched during her time with us.
Bea Lommell on April 8, 2020 at 4:46 PM said:

My deepest sympathy, she will missed dearly
Ron & Jeaneane Luckeroth on April 8, 2020 at 4:33 PM said:

Howard and family - our sympathy, so sorry for your loss.
Darlene Klatt on April 8, 2020 at 2:20 PM said:

Our sincere sympathy to Howard and family. Darlene was Mother and Grandmother to so many Wings Park students. Her calm voice and pleasant demeanor could soothe the most troubled students. We always enjoyed her creative writing.
Suzette (Hurst) Foster on April 8, 2020 at 1:49 PM said:

Howard & family- I'm very sorry to see this. I remember her so fondly from school & Hickory Grove. She was great at organizing & helping me with games & dinners.
My condolences...
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