Darlene L Koppin

Darlene LaVonne Koppin, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the age of 93. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 10, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Newton. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.  Memorials to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church may be left at the church the day of the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

Darlene, the daughter of Eleanor Ethel (Anderson) Reynolds, was born on November 8, 1931, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. She was one of the kindest ladies you could ever meet and had an unwavering devotion to her family and faith.  Darlene grew up in Alexandria, Minnesota before moving to Morris where she would graduate from high school in 1949.  In 1955, Darlene graduated from Willmar School of nursing in Willmar.  Darlene grew up with a deep appreciation for the simple joys in life including time spent with her siblings, Don, Audry, and Ginny.  They enjoyed swimming in the lakes of Minnesota, especially Lake Henry, ice skating, roller skating, and dancing.

On May 26, 1952, Darlene was united in marriage with Merlin Eugene “Gene” Koppin in Webster, South Dakota.  Throughout Gene’s Air Force career, they lived in the Philippines, Japan, and Omaha, Nebraska before settling in Gene’s hometown of Newton, Iowa.

Darlene was a dedicated nurse, working on the surgical floor of Skiff Memorial Hospital in Newton for 20 years. She retired in 1988 to care for her three grandsons, Shane, Kayne, and Levi Schwarz.  While she took pride in her nursing career, she always felt her greatest joy and accomplishment was taking care of her grandsons. 

Darlene was an active member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, serving on the Alter Guild, Vestry, and St. Martha’s Guild.  She also enjoyed bowling and had participated in leagues with good friends for many years.

Darlene is survived by her children, Robert “Bob” (Sheila) Koppin of West Des Moines and Sandra “Sandy” Schwarz of Newton; grandsons, Shane (Rachelle) Schwarz of Newton, Levi (Samantha) Schwarz of Newton, and Kayne (Samantha) Schwarz of Hugo, Minnesota; great-grandchildren, Mercedes, Damien, and Brooke, Eloise and Kamden, and Harrison, Lennon, and Baron.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews including, Susan (Lon) Hanson, Debbie Barker, Rick Bourassa, Judy (Brad) DeWald, Linda Benscoter, Jane Meckley, Jim (Lisa) Koppin, Dale Koppin, and Barb Jackson-Rouse.   She was preceded in death by her parents, Eleanor and George Reynolds; husband of 55 years, Gene; parents-in-law, William and Clara Koppin; siblings, Donald (June) Morse, Audry (Warren) Bourassa; and Ginny (Murlin) Pomerenke; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Leo (Greta) Koppin, Pete (Pat) Koppin, and Raymond Koppin; and her nieces and nephews, Donnie Morse, Bobby Morse, Sharon Pace, Kathleen (Danny) Betsch, and Pamela Koppin Powers.

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