Darlene Mary Van Briesen

Ashton, IA

   Darlene Van Briesen, age 86 of Ashton, IA died Friday, December 6, 2019 at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley, IA.

     Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, December 11^th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton, IA, with Fr. Siby Punnoose as celebrant.

     Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Ashton.

     Visitation will be Tuesday, December 10^th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with family present from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton. A rosary will be at 4:00 p.m. with vigil service to follow.

     The Jurrens Funeral Home of Ashton is in charge of arrangements.

     Darlene Mary Van Briesen was born on Sept 15, 1933 on a farm near Sheldon, IA, the daughter of Harry and Mildred (Schwarz) Schaa.  She grew up in Ashton and attended country school there. Darlene was working at the Ashton nursing home when she met Lowell. On March 30, 1955, Darlene was united in marriage to Lowell Van Briesen.  The couple made their home in George and Darlene worked at Campbell soup in Worthington, MN.  They then bought their first home and moved to Ashton, where Darlene worked for a brief time at Lampe Furniture Store and later owned and operated L & D Bait Shop with her husband Lowell.  She was a member of the Catholic Daughters. She enjoyed fishing and taking vacations on motorcycle with her husband Lowell. Darlene also lived to Cook, Bake and CLEAN!!!!

      Darlene is survived by three children, Laura (Gene) Ney, Cheryl (Russ) Doughty and Dave Van Briesen all of Ashton, IA; seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; six sisters, Marge (Les) Bowling of Sparta, MO, Kathy Meinen of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Patty Tjepkes of Ashton, IA, Rosanne Tewald of Spencer, IA, Maxine Feekes of Sioux Center, IA, and Linda Schaa of Ashton, IA; three brothers, Carl (Karla) Schaa of Ashton, IA, Dave (Rosie) Schaa of Mead, CO, and Mike Schaa of Ashton, IA; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Sr, and Mildred Schaa; husband, Lowell Van Briesen four brothers, Benjamin, Harry Jr., Robert, and Kenny Schaa; sister-in-law, Charlette Schaa; and two brothers-in-law, Dan Meinen and George Tewald.