Darlene Langkamp
Darlene Langkamp
Darlene Langkamp, 88, of Dubuque passed away Friday, June 15, 2018, at Hawkeye Care Center Nursing Home in Dubuque, Iowa.
Darlene Helen Langkamp, daughter of Louis and Helen (Specht) Cornish, was born February 15, 1930, in Dubuque, Iowa. Darlene attended Sacred Heart School and then completed her education at St. Joseph’s Academy.
She married her childhood friend, Merlin “Mac” Langkamp, September 9, 1950, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dubuque. Darlene and Mac were truly a team; Mac was employed by Morrison Bros., and Darlene managed the children and household in addition to part-time jobs as a nurse’s aid to elderly nuns in the convent and in the hot-lunch line at Holy Ghost School for many years. In the 1970’s, the couple ventured into the apartment business and built two buildings with 18 units on the corner of Wildwood Dr. and West 32nd Str. They lived on the premises, which gave them ready access for maintenance and repairs and also enabled them to know their tenants, many of whom became lifelong friends. In 2002, they sold the apartments and built their retirement home on Tiffany Dr.
Darlene always had a ready smile and was anything but shy; she made friends wherever she went. She volunteered at Mercy Hospital for over 20 years, in various departments. She and Mac were avid “garage salers” not only looking for bargains for themselves, but also for their children, grandchildren, and friends. Darlene’s family was always her first priority; she would work tirelessly on their behalf and didn’t hesitate to give them loving advice. Darlene’s definition of cleanliness and organization was instilled in her early on – she “hoovered” every day, her windows didn’t dare to smudge, and her “Junk Drawer” was very tidy. She was also well known for her German potato salad, cherry pie, and goulash – will anyone ever be able to master these family favorites again? She was always looking for ways to help someone; even after entering the nursing home – she was never happier than when she could make someone’s day better and brighter. Darlene loved to play games with friends and family, but was never overly competitive; her aim was just to have fun together. Her story would never be complete without mentioning the “boat,” the “track” and BINGO, she made friends at each of these venues and was always generous with her winnings. Darlene began her faith journey at Sacred Heart Church, after her marriage to Mac, they were members of Holy Ghost Church. In her elder years, she attended St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Her life was saturated by her faith – she never missed a weekend mass – even when on vacation and in her elderly years would attend mass three to four times each week. Hard-working yet playful; frugal yet generous, Darlene was full of apparent contradictions, but that is what made her life so complete and beautiful.
Her family includes her children: David (Shawn) Langkamp of Oskaloosa; Debbie Langkamp of Dubuque, and Cathy (David) Dillon of Dubuque; nine grandchildren: Linsey (David) Hoppestad of Adel, Andrew (Melissa) Langkamp of Oskaloosa; Bryon, Sarah, Josh (Anita Blackburn) and Scott Gansemer of Dubuque; Zachary (Danielle), Cory (Libby) and Samantha Dillon of Cedar Rapids; ten great-grandchildren: Nolan, Nicholas and William Hoppestad, Claire and Natalie Langkamp; Hunter Gansemer; Ashton, Jaxon and Tyson Mac Dillon; Logan and new Baby Boy Dillon, due in October. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Donnie and Jeanie Cornish; sister-in-law, Shirley Chapman; brothers-in-law, Harold Langkamp, and Arnold “Bub” Langkamp of Dubuque; brother-in-law, Tom (Phylis) Piehl of Atlanta, GA., and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Darlene was preceded by the love-of-her-life, Mac on Dec. 23, 2012, after 62 years of marriage.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be held for Darlene at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 19, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church with Rev. Gabriel Anderson officiating. Entombment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque. Visitation will be held on Monday from 3-7 p.m. at Hoffman Schneider Funeral Home at 3860 Asbury Road, Dubuque, Iowa. Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Camp Albrecht Acres, 14837 Sherrill Rd, Sherrill, IA 52073.
