Darlene Marie Van Oort

Darlene M. Van Oort, 68, of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away Saturday, May 27, 2017, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines surrounded by her family. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Saturday, June 3, 2017, at Ankeny Funeral Home (1510 W. First St. Ankeny, Iowa 50023). Then a Celebration of Life service will begin at 12:00 p.m. followed by a luncheon including Darlene’s favorite foods. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the UI Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550 or made online at www.givetoiowa.org/cancer to support the Directed Cancer Gift Fund 30506054. On the memo line please note in memory of Darlene Van Oort/Lung Cancer. Credit card gifts are accepted by calling Toll Free 800-648-6973, Ext. 895.

Darlene Marie Van Oort was born October 28, 1948, to Earl and Patricia (Dean) Vernier in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She was raised there and graduated from Macomb Community College in Michigan. Darlene was united in marriage to Steven Van Oort on June 30th, 1981 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. The family made their way back to Ankeny where Darlene and Steve co-owned KMXD radio in Des Moines. Then for 16 years, Darlene worked as a clerk at the Iowa House of Representatives and has been retired for the last 3 years.

In her free time, Darlene enjoyed reading, gardening, going to garage sales and spending time with her grandchildren.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Steve, two daughters: Amee (Ashmore) & Daniel Austin of Ankeny, and Stephanie & Bryan Gruhlke of Ankeny; grandchildren: Mackenzie, William, Oliver and Roslyn; brothers: Pat (Dot), Earl (Jerry), Norm, and Jay Vernier; sister, Colleen (Jack) Treppa; mother-in-law, Dolores Van Oort; brother-in-law Terry (Cheryl) Van Oort; sister-in-law, Sherry (Steve) Gill and many extended family members. She is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Patricia, father-in-law, Dwayne Van Oort, and a nephew, Matthew Vernier.

Online condolences may be shared on Darlene’s page at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com.