Darlene M. (Nicolet) Wonsmos

Darlene M. Wonsmos, 90, of Belmond, formerly of Thornton, passed away on Monday, October 1, 2018, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Funeral services will take place at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 400 Larch St., Thornton on Thursday, October 4, 2018, at 10:30 AM with Pastor Rhea Evanson officiating. Burial will take place at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Thornton immediately following the service.

Visitation will be held at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South in Belmond on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, and will continue one hour prior to services on Thursday.

Born on August 27, 1928, in Sheffield, Iowa, Darlene Marie was the daughter of Henry and Esther (Dittberner) Nicolet. She was the oldest of two daughters. The family moved to a farm northwest of Thornton when she began first grade. She attended school in Thornton and graduated from Thornton High School in 1946.

She married Richard Wonsmos on August 10, 1947, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thornton. Together, they raised three children – Gregory Lynn, Julie Ann, and Bruce Lee.

Darlene was a devoted farmwife and mother her entire life. She assisted Richard on the farm with field work and hog chores until moving into Thornton in 1991.

She was baptized and confirmed into Lutheran Faith and was a lifelong member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thornton. Darlene served on the Church Council and held several different offices for the WELCA. She especially enjoyed sending greeting cards on behalf of the church.

Darlene enjoyed keeping in touch with her friends and family, fishing, doing puzzles, cooking, collecting pig figurines, and preserving memories through photo albums. She especially enjoyed watching sports and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Minnesota Twins, and Minnesota Vikings. She and Richard traveled to Texas, California, and Minnesota annually where they treasured sightseeing and visiting with family. Above all, she loved her children and grandchildren and spending time with them.

Darlene will be remembered for her strong faith, kind heart, and willingness to assist anyone.

Those left to cherish the memory of her life include her three children; son, Greg (Becky) Wonsmos of Plano, Texas; daughter, Julie (Joe) Meath of Stockton, California; and son, Bruce (Pam) Wonsmos of Thornton; seven grandchildren, Jason Meath, Kelley Wonsmos, Jeff (Jordan) Wonsmos, Amy (Trent) Johnson, Justin Meath, Erin Wonsmos, and Megan Wonsmos (friend Eric Bohnenkamp); four great-grandchildren, William Wonsmos, Caleb Johnson, Nathan Johnson, and Lila Wonsmos; one sister, Maxine Groesbeck of Sheffield, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard (2014); brother-in-law, Wayne (Dorothy) Wonsmos; sister-in-law, Lois (Dale) Nielsen; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Albert and Bernice Wonsmos.

Memorials may be directed to the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thornton.