Obituary of Darlene Wilma Meeker

DARLENE WILMA (VENZKE) MEEKER, 92 of Grinnell lived independently in her home until she died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, February 21, 2020. Darlene was born at home near Frytown, Iowa on September 21, 1927 to Herman and Leona (Eimen) Venzke. Darlene graduated from the Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) in Cedar Falls then taught in a one room school house in Washington County. Darlene married Navy sailor Harold L. Meeker LCDR (ret.) of Iowa City on January 31, 1948 in Yuma, Arizona. Darlene and Harold lived the Navy life until retiring to Iowa in 1971. Over the course of her life in the Navy, Darlene resided in Florida, New England, Illinois, Virginia and California. Darlene enjoyed country living, spending time with family, gardening, food preservation and foraging for wild foods. Darlene authored several small books on how to eat wild from the land. Survivors include sons, Steve Meeker (Pam) of Seattle, WA and Brian (Theresa) Meeker of Grinnell, IA.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Harold; brother, Merle Venzke; sister, Bernice Darby; and two children, Cynthia (Meeker) Garduno and John Meeker.