Darlene "Dar" Klein
Dar loved to travel the world; she had lots of vacations, and what sights she has seen. She has been in over 35 countries.
She wanted to let you know she has taken her last trip. She received a call, “one of a lifetime” and one she can’t refuse. She won’t be returning from this trip, but this trip comes with spectacular accommodations. She will have a reunion with family and friends that she hasn’t seen in a long time. What a celebration this will be!
Darlene “Dar” Janice (Larson) Klein, 79, of Waukon died Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon of gastric cancer. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 2 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon. Friends may call prior to services 8-11 a.m. at the church. Instead of flowers, Dar would hope that you will do an unexpected act of kindness for someone in her name. At Dar’s request, family will host a Drinks With Dar celebration in Harpers Ferry at a later date.
Darlene was born November 12, 1942 in Waukon to Leonard and Thelma (Moen) Larson. She was baptized and confirmed at Glenwood Lutheran Church. She attended country school until eighth grade and graduated from Waukon High School in 1960.
She married Gary Klein in 1960, and to this union four children were born. They later divorced but remained close friends throughout her life.
She met Merton Phipps in 1987; their first date was at a Willie Nelson concert. He was the love of her life for 35 years. Together they lived and loved life. They traveled the world, had many laughs and good times with friends and family.
Darlene loved her Lord and Savior. She read “Jesus Calling” every day. She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Waukon. Family and faith were important to her.
Dar enjoyed her backyard pool and having friends and family over. She loved to play poker and had many card games with friends. She adored her brothers and sisters and loved spending time with them and her nieces and nephews.
Dar worked in and managed many bars throughout her lifetime, some included Dar’s Place, Paddy McQ’s, Gin Mill and Club Ten. She touched many lives. All who remember her are asked to celebrate her life in their own way, raising a glass of their favorite drink in her memory would be quite appropriate.
She is survived by her hubby, Merton Phipps; her children, Machelle (Jerry) Bulman, Dawn Peterson, Gregg Klein and Gary Klein; 12 grandchildren and their spouses: Jesse (Angela) Bulman, Justin (Lindsay) Bulman, Michael Bulman, Kaylee (Michael Henriksen), Kara (Jay Yoder) and Kaden Brown, LaNay, Nathan and Jewel Klein, and Allie, Kysa and Kierstyn Klein; 13 great-grandchildren; her siblings: Gladys Howe of Denton, TX, Lorraine Wright of Cedar Falls, Markeata Schuler of Waterloo, Anna Marie (Jerry) Ewing of Waterville, Harry (Dorla Huffman) Larson of McGregor, Daryl (Ellen) Larson of Waverly and David (Linda) Larson of Trenton, NJ.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Thelma and Leonard Larson; her daughter-in-law, Paula Hitchcock Klein; her siblings and their spouses, Millie (Bob) Daniels, Thelma (Lester) Sampson, Adeline (Bob) Jenson, Janette (Bob) Lein, and Clark (Janet) Larson; her brothers-in-law, Graydon Howe, Richard Wright and Larry Schumacher; and sister-in-law, Dorene Larson.
Urn bearers will be Jesse Bulman, Justin Bulman, Michael Bulman, Michael Henriksen, Jay Yoder, Nathan Klein and Kaden Brown. Honorary urn bearers will be Angela Bulman, Lindsay Bulman, Kaylee Henriksen, Kara Yoder, LaNay Klein, Jewel Klein, Allie Klein, Kysa Klein and Kierstyn Klein.
