Darlene Gibbs

Darlene Elizabeth Gibbs, 91, of West Union, Iowa died Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa. 

Darlene Elizabeth was born on July 20, 1926 to Fritz and Amanda (Grafenburg) Vagts. 

She graduated from West Union High School in 1944.

Darlene received her teaching certificate and taught at many country schools, including Eldorado, then worked as a secretary to the bank president at First National Bank, West Union.

Darlene was united in marriage with Arnold Gibbs on April 22, 1951 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa. To this union five children were born. 

Together they started farming near Strawberry Point, then later east of West Union. Darlene helped Arnold with the farm work and enjoyed cooking and baking, gardening and canning the vegetables from her garden. 

She was an active member of St. Peter in Eldorado, then of Zion Lutheran Church, West Union. Darlene taught Sunday school and Confirmation class for many years.  

She and Arnold retired from the farm in 1991 and moved to West Union.  They traveled in their retirement years with her sister Ardath and husband Buzz Cannon to Arizona, cruised to Alaska, and took a bus tour of the Northeast United States in addition to several other bank trips.  

She volunteered at the elementary school with the reading program and especially enjoyed working with her grandchildren there.  She was always willing to help out when needed.  

In January 2017 she moved to Maple Crest Manor, Fayette.

Darlene is survived by her husband of 67 years, Arnold Gibbs of West Union, Iowa; three children, Mary Gibbs (Brian) of Hiawatha, Iowa, Mike (Cindy) Gibbs of Waterville, Iowa and Gary (Carol) Gibbs of Elgin, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Russ Medberry of Wadena, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Audrey Gibbs of West Union, Iowa; and one brother, Dr. Bud (Judy) Vagts of Ossian, Iowa.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Sue Medberry; son, Jon Gibbs; and her siblings, Everett Vagts, Herb Vagts, Virginia Schwenk and Ardath Cannon.

Funeral Service was held Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church, West Union, Iowa with Rev. Adam Starrett as the officiant.

Burial followed at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery in Eldorado, Iowa. 

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa helped the family with arrangements.     25u25