Darlene Richards

Darlene Richards

Darlene Richards
September 20, 1934 – May 16, 2016
New Sharon, Iowa | Age 81

Darlene Richards, 81, of New Sharon passed away Monday evening, May 16, 2016 at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa.

Phyllis Darlene Richards, the daughter of Carl and Zola (Sparks) Savage, was born on September 20, 1934 in Lacona, Iowa.

Darlene was the salutatorian of New Sharon High School with the class of 1953. She was married to Lloyd Richards. To this union two sons were born, Kelly and Kerry.

Darlene and Lloyd farmed south of New Sharon. Darlene took classes at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa receiving her Broker and Real Estate License in 1975. Together they started South Central Real Estate in Oskaloosa. She also worked for Brown Insurance Services, Inc., Hawkeye Real Estate, North Side of the Square Insurance and Heil Insurance.

Darlene enjoyed oil painting, flowers, gardening, cooking, square dancing and traveling. She was a member of the Oskaloosa Board of Realtors – serving a term as President, a member of the State and National Association of Realtors, Oskaloosa Nazarene Church, and attended the New Sharon First Christian Church.

Darlene was survived by her sons: Kelly Richards of Donnellson, Iowa and Kerry Richards of Fairfield, Iowa; two grandchildren: Desiree Richards and Dustin Richards; longtime friend and husband, Lloyd Richards; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Friday, May 20, 2016 at the New Sharon First Christian Church.
Burial will be held in the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Sharon Fire Rescue and the MHP Hospice Serenity House.