Darlene Marie (Hoefer) Fischer

Darlene M. (Hoefer) Fischer, 84, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, in the arms of her loving husband, surrounded by her family at Marietta’s Place in Manchester. She was born March 4, 1933 in New Vienna, IA. The beloved daughter of Arthur J. and Alma H. (Boge) Hoefer. She attended school in New Vienna and graduated from Delhi High School in 1951.

On May 5th, 1953, Darlene was united in marriage to Charles E. Fischer at St. John’s Catholic Church in Delhi, Iowa, by Reverend Loras J. Holmberg. Seven children were born to this union. Darlene was a homemaker and farmed hand in hand with her husband for almost 50 years before retiring to town in 1990.   

Darlene enjoyed cooking, farming, gardening and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Rosary Society.

Survivors include her loving husband and lifelong soulmate, Charles E. Fischer of Manchester; her six children, Charles Jr. (Mary) Fischer of Colesburg, Marie (Neil) Willenborg of Petersburg, Arthur Fischer of Dubuque, Sandi (Dan) Stelken, Bob (Dawne) Fischer, and Cheri (Gerry) Heims, all of Manchester; seventeen grandchildren, Tanya (Dave) Hill, Nic (Tisha) Stelken, Eddy (Leizyl) Willenborg, Jessica (Bryan) Flexsenhar, Kristy (Josh) Howell, Kathy Fischer, Ashten Stelken, Karrie Fischer, Amber (Timmy) Andrews, Mitch Heims, Ryan (Kinzi)Fischer, Kevin Fischer, Holly Heims, Allison Heims, Ashley Heims, Jeremy Fischer, and Brianna Fischer; seventeen great-grandchildren, Brandon, Grant, and Jacob Hill, Reagan and Keegan Stelken, Emily and Tyler Knoppe, Calvin and Lexie Willenborg, Elsie, Lucy, Adelyne, and Leo Flexsenhar, Hope, Ethan, and Emmalyn Howell, and Owen Andrews; two brothers, Charles Hoefer of Cedar Rapids and Art (Karen) Hoefer of Swisher; one sister-in-law, Verna Mae Hoefer of Manchester; and a brother-in-law, Donnie (Irene) Fischer of Dubuque.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter, Alma Elizabeth Fischer; two brothers Gerald and Lyle Hoefer; two brothers-in-law, Eddie and Merle Fischer; and three sisters-in-law, Beverly Hoefer, Linda Hoefer, and Janice Fischer.

The family would like to thank the staff at Marietta’s Place for the exceptional, compassionate care they have given Darlene the past few months, as well as Regional Medical Center Hospice of Comfort.   

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