Darlene Leinen

Darlene Ann (Steckel) Leinen, 86, died Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at Pleasantview in Kalona. A private family service will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The service will be available via Livestream on the Beatty Peterseim Facebook page. Memorial donations may be directed to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Mercy Hospital Foundation, or Iowa City Hospice.

Darlene was born May 29, 1934, in Epworth, Iowa, the daughter of Leo F and Laura G (Lehnhoff) Steckel. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids and attended Cedar Rapids Business College. She worked as a secretary for Hartmotor Express in St. Paul, MN, for three years, at DX Sunray Oil Company in Minneapolis for two years, and at Lynn County Abstract in Cedar Rapids for ten years. On November 29, 1958, she was united in marriage to Donald Leinen in Cedar Rapids. Darlene was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Richmond and a former member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. Darlene enjoyed most sporting activities, including volleyball, golf, basketball, swimming, baseball, and bowling. She also enjoyed gardening, dogs, and was a very good baker, baking cookies, pies, and her homemade rolls.

Survivors include four children: Theresa (Rollin III) Howard of Sachse, TX, Leo (Theresa) Leinen of Kalona, IA, Matthew Leinen of Cedar Rapids, IA, Maria Leinen (Frank Gonzales) of Cedar Rapids, IA, seven grandchildren: Rollin (IV), Joshua, Zachary, Jake, Benjamin, Audrey, Emmalee, and Brittney; two great-grandchildren: Alieah, and Lily; one sister Luetta Sedlacek of Urbanna, IA, and brother George (Norma) Steckel of Ajo, AZ.

Preceding Darlene in death were her parents and her husband Donald.