Darlene (Wagenaar) Bliek

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George, Iowa

Darlene (Wagenaar) Bliek age 84, of Sanborn, formerly of George, IA, died Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the Prairieview Nursing Home in Sanborn.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, October 6, 2023, at the First Baptist Church of rural George with Rev. Jesse Sternke and Rev. James Koller officiating.  Burial will follow in the First Baptist Church Cemetery at George.

Visitation with the family present will be Thursday, October 5, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the First Baptist Church at George.

Darlene Faye Gruis was born March 14, 1939, on a farm near George, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Frieda Gruis.  Darlene was raised and educated in the George area, graduating from George High School in 1957.  After her education, she started working in several people-oriented jobs. 

On May 18, 1960, Darlene was united in marriage to John Wagenaar at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George. To this union were born three children: Alan (Terresa) Wagenaar, Lori (Dennis) Heemstra and Clayton (Jodi) Wagenaar. They made their home in Little Rock and later moved to Ellsworth, MN; Sibley, Boyden before retiring to George, IA.  While John and Darlene were employed at DEMCO Manufacturing in Boyden, John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and Darlene faithfully took care of John until he passed away in May of 2005, having been married almost 45 years.  Darlene wed Arie Bliek June 16, 2007.  She was step-mother to 5 children: Larry (Connie) Bliek, Donna (Ron) Bos, Harlan (Shari) Bliek, Cheryl (Russ) Borchardt, and Connie (Joel) Pollema.  Darlene was grandmother, step-grandmother, great-grandmother and step great-grandmother to many.

     Darlene’s family and faith were especially important to her as well as spending time with her grandchildren. She loved the Lord and gospel music. Some of her favorite things in life were singing, first with the Musical Messengers and then with John and their daughter, Lori.  One of her other greatest pleasures were camping, enjoying a good campfire, traveling to Alaska to see Alan and family when they lived there, bus trips with Arie and traveling to the Black Hills, yearly.  She loved popcorn of any kind and going to Dairy Queen for an ice cream treat with Arie.  When she married Arie, she was privileged to live back on the farm again and she thoroughly enjoyed going to cattle auctions with Arie and watching bull riding whether in person or on the TV.  Darlene had a very caring heart and many of the kids’ friends considered her “Mom”.  

She will be missed by many.  Darlene passed to her Heavenly home on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the age of 84 years.

Darlene is also survived by her brother, Daryl Gruis and preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Frieda Gruis; infant brother, Dennis and her first husband, John and second husband, Arie.

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