Darlene Olson

Darlene A. Olson, 83, formerly of Sioux City and Mapleton, Iowa, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, following a courageous battle with leukemia at her home in Liberty, Mo.
Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, 1801 Morningside Ave., with the Rev. Jaysson Gurwell of Redeemer Church in Winterset, Iowa officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.christysmith.com .
Darlene was born on Nov. 14, 1933, in Thurston, Neb., to Myron Guy and Ella Mae Leonard. She married the love of her life Donald O. Olson on May 22, 1955 in Sergeant Bluff. Darlene was the owner of Merle Hay Lanes in Des Moines. She, with her husband, were in the bowling business for more than 45 years, owning centers in Boone, Iowa, Topeka, Kan., Mapleton, and Mason City, Iowa. In her earlier years, Darlene was a cosmetologist, owning Darlene's Beauty Shop in Sergeant Bluff.
Darlene was known throughout her life for her baking talent. She absolutely loved being in the kitchen, but even more than that, she loved seeing people enjoy her treats.
Darlene is survived and lovingly remembered by her three children, Mark Olson and his wife, Deb of Kansas City, Mo., Tamara "Tammy" King and her fiance, Reed Phillips of Dallas, Texas, and Michele Olson of Liberty; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and one brother, Vernon Leonard of Redding, Calif., and his family.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years; her parents; and a brother, Mike.
Memorials may be made to The Darlene Olson Memorial Fund, directed to Christy-Smith Funeral Home; c/o Darlene Olson Family, 1801 Morningside Ave., Sioux City, IA 51106.