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Darlene Ann Donovan, 76, Iowa City
Obituaries · July 17, 2014



Darlene Ann Donovan, 76, of Iowa City, born Sept. 18, 1937, second of 13 children of Robert and Hazel (Maxey) Vrchoticky, passed away Friday, July 11, 2014, surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral mass was July 14 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Iowa City with visitation Sunday at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. Family burial will take place later at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials in Darlene’s name can be made to Mercy Hospice or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Online condolences can be sent to her family at www.gayandciha.com.

Darlene graduated from University High School in 1956, during which time she worked at FW Woolworths. Later she was employed at Northwestern Bell, the City of Iowa City, ACT and the University of Iowa, from which she retired in 1999.

On June 8, 1957, she married Roland Donovan at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City. They recently celebrated 57 years of marriage. Together they enjoyed playing games, doing puzzles, and delivering Meals on Wheels. Darlene also enjoyed crocheting, reading, bowling, and spending time with her family. In earlier years, she also enjoyed being a Girl Scout leader.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Roland; children Stan Donovan (Vicki) and Teresa Loikets (Bill); five wonderful grandchildren: Tera Rees (Pat), Kelly Donovan (Tim VanDerhorst), Tom Donovan (Misti), Chad and Lindsay Loikets. The light of her life were her great-grandchildren, Alex and Donovan Rees, Hunter VanDerhorst and Chloe Donovan. She is also survived by eight brothers and three sisters: Bob Vrchoticky, Melva Swartzendruber (Ken), Joe Vrchoticky (Ruth), Ed Vrchoticky (Shirley) Darrell Vrchoticky (Carol), Sharon Krenz (Gaylen), Allen Vrchoticky, Jerry Vrchoticky (Joan), Rodney Vrchoticky, Pat Litton (Roger) and Bruce Vrchoticky (Mary).

She was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws George and Nellie Donovan; sister, Marilyn Nost; sister and brother-in-law Wilma and Tom Denneny; a nephew, Arthur Vrchoticky; and great-niece, Karen Orr.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for Darlene’s family and her services.