Darleen Euken

Darleen Euken, 85, a lifelong Cass County resident, passed away Friday, July 27, 2007, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Darleen was born October 12, 1921, in Cumberland, Iowa, the daughter of John and Lula (Howell) Mattheis.

She graduated from Cumberland High School in 1939 and attended Drake University. At the age of 23, Darleen joined the WAVES. Her Naval training took place at Hunter College in New York, and she was later stationed in San Francisco.

On September 20, 1946, Darleen married Emert E. Euken. They were blessed with three daughters and a successful family farm operation. She enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, friends and her beloved pets. Darleen loved to travel, play cards at the Heritage House, and was an avid doll collector.

Darleen was a longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, an active Cass County Democrat and a member of the Atlantic Lions Club. She also enjoyed being a part of St. Paul's Calendar Girls.

Darleen will be missed by her daughters, Sheri Conn and her husband, Jim of Lewis, Iowa, Vicki Heiken and her husband, Thomas of Des Moines, Iowa, and Lori Rottenberg and her husband, Paul of Johnston, Iowa.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Shelly (Chris) Harden of Des Moines, Iowa; Steve (Sue) Andersen of Lewis, Iowa; Renee (Matthew) Willemsen of Mankato, Minnesota; Allison Heiken of New York City, New York; Ryan Heiken of El Paso, Texas; Elizabeth Rottenberg, currently traveling abroad; Daniel Rottenberg of Eugene, Oregon; two step-grandchildren, Joel (Cindy) Conn of Pleasant Hill; Janine (Kirk) Sunderman of Davenport; three great-grandchildren, Avery Andersen, and Max and Ella Willemsen; five step-great-grandchildren, Allyson and Skylar Conn of Pleasant Hill; Hannah, Andrew, and Emma Sunderman of Davenport; two brothers, Clair (Shirley) Mattheis of Massena, Iowa, Phil (Marian) Mattheis of Des Moines, Iowa; brothers-in-law Robert (Ethel) Euken of Cumberland, Iowa, Arlyn Euken of Fort Myers, Florida. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and close friends.

Darleen was preceded in death by her husband in 2004; her infant sister, Phylis Jean; and sisters-in-law, Lavon Kiddoo and Linda Euken.

Darleen's family would like to thank the many who shared their thoughts, cards, visits and prayers, along with the ICU staff at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines for their dedicated efforts.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 30, 2007, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic with the Reverends Dennis and Sally Meyer officiating.

Public visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., Sunday morning, with the family present to greet their friends, Sunday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Committal services and interment will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery, south of Wiota, Iowa.

The family is requesting that memorials go to St. Paul's Lutheran Church or to ARISE, for the rejuvenation of the Atlantic Armory in Darleen's honor.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic is in charge of the arrangements.