Darlene Elizabeth Putz

Celebration of Life for Darlene E. Putz, 75, of Des Moines, will be held Sunday, October 23, 2022, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Lacona. Memorials may be made to the Lacona Fire Department.

Darlene was born November 15, 1946, the only child of Charles “Chick” and Mary Rodine Miller. She lived in Indianola, then when she was in the third grade, moved to Lacona on the farm where her dad grew up. She attended the Lacona school until it reorganized and became Southeast Warren. Growing up near Lacona, she enjoyed being on the farm helping with raking and putting up hay in the summers. She graduated from Southeast Warren High School in 1964. In June 1964, Darlene went to work for Farm Bureau in Indianola.

Darlene was married to Bernard Putz in Lacona on June 6, 1970, and they were blessed with a son, Gene in August 1974. She was happy to be a stay-at-home mom while Gene grew to be a teenager, then she began working through a temp agency until she landed a job with the State of Iowa. Darlene worked at the Hoover Building and then for the Iowa Lottery, retiring from there after 23 years. While working for the State, she also worked part-time for Orchard Place Child Guidance Center for 10 years, retiring in December 2014.

In 1996, Darlene moved to Des Moines as she was unable to do the commute any longer. Bernard and Gene continued living together. She would go down some weekends or Bernard would go up to see her in Des Moines. Darlene lost Bernard to cancer in August 2013.

Darlene stayed on the south side and bought a condo a few years ago. She enjoyed taking bus trips to casinos with some of her friends.

Darlene passed away at her home. She will be greatly missed by her mother, Mary Miller; son, Gene (Tonja Jimenez) Putz; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard and her father, Chick Miller.