Adeline Middlen

Adeline Middlen, age 84 of Larchwood, IA died Sunday, August 6, 2006 at home in Larchwood, IA after a lengthy illness. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, August 9th at the United Church of Christ in Larchwood, IA, with Pastor Kelly Volk officiating. Burial will follow at the Larchwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 8th from 2 " 8 PM with the family present from 6 " 8 PM at the Roste Funeral Home of Larchwood. Adeline Jeanette (Swenson) Middlen was born on November 12, 1921 in Valley Springs, South Dakota, the daughter of Sam and Mildred (Sponheim) Swenson. She was raised on a farm near Valley Springs and attended country school and graduated from Garretson High School. She and her family were members of the Beaver Valley Lutheran Church. Adeline was united in marriage to Joel R. Middlen on December 28, 1944 at East Side Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD. The couple moved to a farm near Larchwood where they farmed for the next 30 years. Adeline and Joel were blessed with four children, Richard, Robert, Yvonne and Duane. Adeline took great pride in providing for her family, raising her four children, preparing the family meals, tending to the gardening and helping her husband with the farm. She enjoyed play cards, word puzzles, knitting, crocheting, zipper art and baking. She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Larchwood, active with the Womens Circle and teaching Sunday school. She also served as President of the Royal Neighbors of America for many years. In 1974, she and Joel retired from farming and built a house in Larchwood. After retiring Adeline and Joel were blessed with 20 years of wintering in Mesa, AZ and memorable trips to Mexico, Germany, Hawaii, Switzerland and the Southern Caribbean. She worked at Treasure Chest Gift Shop in Larchwood for a few years. In 1997 Adelines health began to fail, and in 2003 she started dialysis. She continued to live at home under the care of her husband, Joel, until this past Sunday, August 6, 2006 Adeline died peacefully at her home in Larchwood with her family by her side, at the age of 84. She is survived by her husband, Joel Middlen of Larchwood, IA; four children, Richard and his wife, Mary Middlen of Lake Benton, MN, Robert Middlen and his special friend, Lue Middlen of Comanche, IA, Yvonne and her husband, Wayne Poppens of Larchwood, IA and Duane Middlen of Larchwood, IA; six grandchildren; six step grandchildren; twelve step great-grandchildren; two step great-great-grandchild; and one sister-in-law, Doris Koch of Larchwood, IA; and many extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Nicole; two sisters; and two brothers.