KEYSTONE:  Darlene Marie Harder, 83 of Keystone, Iowa passed away peacefully on Friday October 30, 2026, at Transitions Hospice Home, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Darlene was born on June 25, 1943, in Clarion, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Roger Harder on September 28, 1963, at St. John Lutheran Church, Keystone.

Darlene graduated in 1961 from Washington High School in Vinton, Iowa. She was employed with Fischer Law Firm in Vinton, Iowa for 20 years. Darlene’s legacy was a life of service and volunteering for her church, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Keystone, Iowa. Upon her retirement, she volunteered at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Darlene relocated to the Overture Senior Living Community in Morrisville, North Carolina in 2021. The Overture community provided her with an active lifestyle and the opportunity to create many special friendships. During her time in Morrisville, Darlene volunteered at Dorcus Ministries Thrift Shop in the vintage jewelry department in Cary, North Carolina.

Darlene is survived by her brother-in-law Ron Harder and wife Kathy, brother in-law Bruce Swick (Janice), son Brent Harder & fiancé Michelle Phillips of Keystone, daughter Debbie Person & husband Rob of Seven Lakes, North Carolina and son Justin Harder & wife Amanda of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Grandchildren Landree Person (Stacy Johnson), Ryker Person (Kristin Thomas), Sophia Harder, Kailey Etienne (Edwin), Toby Phillips, Mary Phillips, Austin Teneyck (Josi), Trever Mahoney (Ashley), and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Roger Harder, sister-in-law Janice Swick and grandson Wesley Teneyck.

Darlene was a beloved Mom, Nana and Wife who will always be remembered for her wonderful cooking and baking. Her family will be forever grateful for her support and attendance at all of her grandchildrens’ activities over the years. Darlene took the opportunity of living in North Carolina to spend a week each summer treating her family to a beach vacation and just this past June she and her grandchildren spent time together at the beach making memories. Darlene loved to attend events held by the Cary & Morrisville Senior Centers that took her on regional trips and local events. Her family welcomed her new lifestyle in North Carolina by planning time with her around a very busy social schedule. A friend to many, she was kind-hearted and will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, 201 4th Avenue, Keystone, Iowa on Saturday November 7, 2026, from 9-11am and service starting at 11am. Interment will be hold at the Keystone Cemetery.  As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh, North Carolina (https://www.transitionslifecare.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Donation-Form-print.pdf)

A heartfelt thank you to Transitions LifeCare and their many wonderful staff who are truly angels on earth.