Darlene Martens

Darlene F. Martens age 72 of New Hampton died Friday, February 17, 2012, at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in New Hampton in the care of Iowa Hospice. A private family funeral service will be held at the Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home, New Hampton with interment in Calvary Cemetery, Charles City. No public visitation will be held. Darlene Frances Martens was born December 1, 1939, near Nashua in rural Chickasaw County, IA, the daughter of Amos W. and Helen M. (Marovets) Springer. She received her education in Nashua, graduating from the Nashua High School in 1958. On December 31, 1959, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, she married Harlan C. Martens. To this union two daughters were born. The couple made New Hampton their home where they raised their family. Darlene worked as a cook for many years at the former Crystal Grill Truck Stop in New Hampton. She enjoyed long walks throughout her life, crocheting and fishing. On October 19, 1991, her husband Harlan died at the age of 75. Survivors include one daughter, Deb (Joe) Zubrod of Lawler; four grandchildren, Jason (Amy) Kuehn of New Hampton, Eric (Katy) Kuehn of Lawler, Nichole Byrne of New Hampton, Pamela (Thomas) Gray of El Paso, TX; three great-grandchildren, Taylor Byrne of Lawler, Jaxon Kuehn of New Hampton, Evelyn Kuehn of Lawler; four sisters, Dorothy (Henry) Mohring of Ionia; Madonna (Ervin) Mohring of Charles City, Lorraine (Ralph) Bigelow of Charles City, Beverly (Dave) Bray of West Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one daughter, Deeann Byrne on June 24, 2006; one brother, Gordon Springer; one sister, Doris Martin.