Darlene Justice

April 7, 1933 - August 5, 2020

Darlene Alice (Petersen) Justice, the daughter of Jurgen and Alice (Mesenbrink) Petersen, was born on a farm outside of Schleswig, Iowa on April 7, 1933. She attended Morgan Township Schools up until the 8th grade. She met the love of her life, Russel Justice, on the dance floor of a community dance. Darlene and Russel married on February 19, 1956 at Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church in Schleswig. The two were blessed with giving birth to two children; Diane and Gary. In 1958, Darlene and her family moved down to Irwin to a farm that is still in the family. She was a member of the Irwin United Methodist Church. Darlene was a homemaker having busy hands helping on the farm, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her family. Darlene loved cooking, baking, gardening, and being in charge. No matter how big her kids got, she always wanted to tell them how to do stuff or mothering them. Darlene loved to laugh, and had a very strong sense of humor. She also loved Christmas time. Her 2nd favorite part about the holiday was the Christmas lights. She loved going on car rides around different towns looking at all the light displays people had in their yards, on their houses, or on businesses. Darlene would always come up with new ways to display lights on her home, even if there was no room. But her favorite part about Christmas was the real reason for the season: the birth of our Lord and Savior. Darlene had a strong faith and always felt blessed with the life God gave her, the ability to have family nearby to take baked goods to, and to have her family by her side. In her final days, Darlene knew that one day, she would join her husband again on the dance floor in heaven. On Wednesday, August 5, 2020 Darlene passed away peacefully at Avoca Specialty Care in Avoca attaining the age of 87 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Russel, sister Mildred Rusch, half-brothers Roy and John Whited, and half-sisters Hertha Klotz Saxton and Gladys Rusch. Left to cherish her memory are her children Diane and her husband Randy Breach of Atlantic, Iowa; Gary Justice of Irwin, Iowa and his special friend Edie Kahl of Denison, Iowa; grandsons Scott Breach and his wife Michelle of Urbandale, Iowa; Dave Breach of Massena, Iowa; great grandsons Benjamin and Nathan Breach; sisters Ruby Ann Beerman and Joleen Carstenson, both of Denison, Iowa; brother-in-law Howard Justice of Ankeny, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. . Family requests memorials be made to Irwin United Methodist Church or Irwin Fire Department.