BASSETT - Darlene P. Idler, 80, Bassett, died Wednesday, May 1, 2002 at Mercy Center-North Iowa, Mason City of natural causes.

Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

Visitation was after 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 3 at the Idler Farm near Bassett, and also an hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Darlene was born Oct. 24, 1921 in Chickasaw County, the daughter of Loyal and Mabel (Slack) Bigelow. She graduated from Ionia High School. After her schooling sne worked at the Ionia Creamery and later in Charles City for a short time. She was united in marriage to Kenneth Idler on Oct. 24, 1944. Following their marriage the couple resided near Charles City and west of Ionia. In 1959 the couple built a new home east and north of Bassett. In 1991 the couple built another new home west of Bassett where they were currently residing. The couple owned and operated the Skelly Filling Station and Garage in Ionia. In the late 60's the couple purchased a 10-seat diner that thev moved from Oskaloosa to Bassett, known as Ma's Place. They laterbuilt  a new  diner, that is now called Mr. Z's Darlene was knowb as Babe or Aunti Babe. She enjoyed playing cards, crossword puzzles, racing, game shows, traveling, cooking and baking.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth "Bob"; a son, Lynn (Sandy), Ionia; a daughter, Joy (Denny) George, White House, TN; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents; two brothers, Clark and Ted Bigelow and two sisters, Margaret and Mildred Bigelow.

Source: New Hampton Tribune; May 7, 2002 Page 4
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by ABBYY FineReader® 12, Adapted to the Web by Bill Waters