Darlene Maxine (Kramer) Elgin

Darlene Maxine Elgin, 92, of Tipton, went home to Heaven on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 in the protective shelter of her home.  Darlene was the daughter of Irwin L. Kramer and Mabel M. Bundy Kramer. She was born on Tuesday, October 28, 1930 in Bennett, Iowa. She graduated from Tipton High School in 1949 and married Lyle Elgin on September 2, 1951 in Tipton. 
Darlene had an interesting life. She sold Avon products for a while, was a bookkeeper, worked as a cook for the Tipton School, served as the cemetery sexton for Shawver Cemetery for too many years to count, and was a fulltime homemaker, mother, grandmother and wife. Darlene was a former CampFire leader and a former member of the Cedar Chips Camping Club. She and Lyle enjoyed many years of camping with family and friends. She was also a member of: the First United Church of Christ, longtime member of the UCC Mary’s Circle and the Tipton Senior Dining Center. Darlene and Margaret Diedrichsen co-chaired many funeral luncheons at the United Church of Christ until they just weren’t able to work anymore. In her free time, Darlene enjoyed sewing, quilting, tatting, cooking and playing cards. She was a great seamstress making clothing, embroidered blankets and quilts for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She mastered the old art of Tatting and won prizes for her creations at the Cedar County Fair.  She loved hosting big family holiday meals and was well known for her family favorites: dried peach pie and deviled eggs. She especially enjoyed helping at the Senior Center, meeting with friends, and playing Hand and Foot...a card game she taught to her children and grandchildren that has brought many hours of pleasure for all.
Darlene is survived by her daughters, Cathy (Daniel) Evers of Cedar Rapids and Linda (Randy) Weaver of Tipton; grandchildren, Erin Cordes, Andrew Evers (Jodi), Emily Reisdorph (Andrew), Elissa Evers, Jessica Olson (Rich), Mallory Weaver and Laura Weaver; great-grandchildren, Kit and Owen Cordes, Aiden and Gabe Evers, Lucy and Miles Reisdorph, Elias Raven, AJ, Elgin and Iris Olson, Ivory Weaver and Caraline Abernathey. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle on May 10, 2002; her siblings, Evelyn Hansen, Peg Zaruba, Mae Eriksen and Bud Kramer; and many of her longtime Tipton friends. 
Services will be on Monday, July 10, 2023 at the First United Church of Christ in Tipton: Visitation will be from at 9:00 am to 11:00 am, the Funeral service will begin at 11:00 am with Pastor Kerri Sandusky, officiating. Lunch will immediately follow and the graveside service will be at 1:30 pm in the Shawver Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers friends may donate to the Tipton Senior Dining Center, 111 Orange Street, Tipton, Iowa 52772. Cards and memorials may be mailed to 3415 Royal Drive SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

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