Darlene Mae Matzen

Darlene M. Matzen, age 86, of Kensett, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood. Darlene was born February 21, 1938, to Pete and Gena (Holstad) Kalgaarden of rural Kensett, Iowa. She enjoyed watching all the animals grow on her parent’s farm such as the calves, piglets, chicks, horses, dogs, and cats. Darlene attended Brookfield No. 8 Country School from first through seventh grade. When she entered school, she knew not one word of English as Norwegian was her first language. She later attended eighth grade through high school in Kensett and graduated in 1956. Darlene was a lifelong member of the Elk Creek Lutheran Church in Kensett. She held many positions at the church including Sunday school superintendent, Sunday school teacher, member of the choir, and a greeter for many church hall functions. Darlene married Paul Matzen Jr. on August 22, 1960, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to this union she was blessed with four children that enriched her life, Steve, Scott, Daryl, and Darla. Darlene was a hard worker her entire life, getting her work ethic from helping with the farm chores. She was employed at Winnebago Industries in Forest City, and Fleetguard/Cummins Filtration Company of Lake Mills for 30 years. She also moonlighted as an aide at several care centers across the North Iowa area. Never wandering too far from home, she lived her entire adult life across the road from the home farm. She loved to feed the birds and watch the deer and wild turkeys as they made daily visits to her yard. Mom’s deviled eggs, potato salad, and meatloaf are legendary at family gatherings. She spent her leisure retirement days loving her cat Sweetie and spending countless hours with her grand dogs, arguing with Judge Judy, watching the Game Show Network, pro wrestling, and being silly on Snapchat. Darlene loved to do word search puzzles and had a late in life passion for coloring. She was also a very passionate bingo player on her tablet. Darlene was blessed with three grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Brendan) Ehlke of Many, Iowa, Kalley Matzen of Boulder, Colorado, and Matthew (Sara) Matzen of Hagerstown, Maryland. She was extremely proud of their accomplishments in life, ranging from their families, careers, sports, academics, outdoor activities, and movie making adventures. Grandma Darlene cherished her time with the girls. Truth be told, the girls loved having their parents go out so they could spend more time with Grandma! The love and memories they shared with Grandma Darlene are priceless. In 2019, Darlene was blessed and honored when she became a great grandma upon the arrival of Beckett Ehlke. Soon after, Boston Ehlke and Kennedy Ehlke enriched her life with their arrivals. She loved and adored her great grandchildren beyond measure. Grandma Darlene immensely enjoyed her time with them. A loving mom, grandma, and great grandma, Darlene was a bright light in the lives of those she touched. Her mischievous smile, infectious laughter, and sense of humor helped her navigate through life and into so many people’s hearts. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Steve (Ann) Matzen of Manly, Iowa, Scott Matzen (Leandro Cunha Bastos) of Sao Luis de Montes Belos, Goias, Brazil, Daryl (Tracey) Matzen of Milford, Iowa, Darla (Perry) Richey of Plymouth, Iowa, and family; grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Brendan) Ehlke of Manly, Iowa, Kalley Matzen of Boulder, Colorado, Matthew (Sara) Matzen of Hagerstown, Maryland; great-grandchildren, Beckett, Boston, and Kennedy Ehlke. She was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Gena Kalgaarden; brother, Morris Kalgaarden, and many loved aunts, uncles, and cousins. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Schroeder-Hoff Funeral Home in Northwood. The Service will take place on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. with a one-hour visitation prior to the service at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church in rural Kensett. Burial will be held at the Elk Creek Lutheran Cemetery. Schroeder-Hoff Funeral Home of Northwood is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.schroederfuneralhomes.com. Please take time to view her tribute video at the link below. Click here