Darlene Meier

Darlene M. Meier age 86 of New Hampton died Wednesday afternoon, September 5, 2012, at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 8, 2012, at Holy Family Parish - St. Mary’s Center, New Hampton with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed on the casket by Darlene’s children. Lector for the service will be Liz Meier. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Darlene’s grandchildren. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Hampton, with Jerry Laures, Gary Swehla, Jed Meier, Mitch McDonough, Dan Taylor, and Daniel Harrington serving as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers are Dave Sweet, Marie Meier, Tricia Meier, Liz Meier, Kristin Harrington, Megan McDonough, and Lindsey Taylor. Friends may greet the family 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 4:00 p.m. Catholic Daughters of America Rosary and a 7:00 p.m. scripture service. Visitation will continue 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Funeral Home. Darlene Mary Meier was born January 25, 1926, in rural New Hampton, Iowa, the only daughter of Henry and Hilda (Niggeling) Laures. She grew up attending St. Mary’s grade school and completed her education at New Hampton High School in 1944. After graduating from high school Darlene attended business school. Her first position after school was working for the Oliver Tractor Company in Charles City working with the bookkeeping department. On May 15, 1952, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New Hampton she married Cletus Meier. To this union three sons were born. After marriage Darlene spent time at home raising her family, and she also was very active in helping Cletus around the family farm. The family farmed west of Fredericksburg up until 1978. Cletus died in 1982 at the age of 57 due to complications of cancer. After Cletus passed away Darlene moved to New Hampton where she lived until her passing. Darlene was a lifelong active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America, and the Rosary Society. She enjoyed playing cards and was especially good at the game 500. Darlene loved and cherished spending time with her family especially her grandchildren. Survivors include her three sons; Larry (Katherine) Meier of Tremont, IL, Pat Meier of Key Largo, FL, R.J. (Jody) Meier of Fredericksburg; one sister-in-law, Joyce Laures of New Hampton, seven grandchildren, Marie Meier, Tricia Meier, Liz Meier, Kristin Harrington, Megan McDonough, Lindsey Taylor, and Jed Meier; three great-grandchildren, Vaughn McDonough, Vance McDonough, and Julia Harrington along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Hilda, and one brother, John Laures