Darlene Evelyn Hansen

Darlene Evelyn Hansen, the daughter of Thomas Chris and Ella Helena (Brensel) Kroger, was born April 22, 1931 at her parents’ home in Audubon, Iowa and died December 22, 2019 at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon at the age of 88 years and eight months.
Darlene was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and attended Audubon Community Schools. She then helped at home.
On August 28, 1947, she was united in marriage to Dalton Christensen in Guthrie County, Iowa, and two children were born to this union: Danny and Connie. Dalton died in in an automobile accident in December of 1955.
On October 4, 1956, she married John Lee Hansen, Sr. in Harlan, Iowa, and they were blessed with six children: Shawna, Jennie, Shiela, Ray, Jay, and John Jr. They operated the family farm northwest of Viola Center, Iowa. Darlene helped John grow row crops and raise livestock for a short time. They then helped Nick Jensen operate his farm, and during this time Darlene was busy raising the children. In 1969, they moved into Audubon, where John and Darlene started their own trucking business. Darlene drove a straight truck and semi for many years. Later, Darlene managed several area gas stations and was employed at several area nursing homes until she retired.
During retirement, Darlene enjoyed bowling and spending her winters in Texas, but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family.
Darlene was a member of the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, Iowa until it closed.
She was preceded in death by her son, Danny Thomas Christensen; her parents; 10 brothers and sisters; four brothers-in-law; and one sister-in-law.
Darlene is survived by her husband, John L. Hansen, Sr. of Audubon, Iowa; her children: Connie Schmidt of Jackson, Minnesota; Shawna Hansen, Jennie and husband Todd Cogley, Shiela and husband Tom Siepker, Ray Hansen, Jay Hansen and John Jr. and wife Lisa Hansen, all of Audubon; her grandchildren: Tami Smid, Todd and wife Jacquie Schmidt, Angel Siepker and significant other Scott Hogue, Dan Hansen, Jenn Hansen and fiancé Cameron Selix, Kenneth and wife Alayna Hansen, Jared and wife Sadie Hansen, Bliss Weitl, Pamela Hansen and significant other Sam Sides, John Lee Hansen III and significant other Hilaree Walter, and Jordan Hansen; 22 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; her sisters, Beverly Obermeier of Audubon, Iowa and Marilyn Andersen of Harlan, Iowa; her sister-in-law, Jeanette Kroger of Harlan, Iowa; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Darlene’s family will greet friends on Saturday morning, January 4, 2020 from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 11:00 A.M. at the Harvest of Hope Church in Audubon, Iowa. The Memorial Service will be conducted by Pastor Curtis Wolfe. Inurnment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon, Iowa at a later date.