Darlene Nelson, age 85, of Washington, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Klein Center in West Burlington, Iowa.

No services will be held at this time. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Darlene’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Darlene was born on June 1, 1940, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph and Bertha (Lyon) Nelson. Darlene attended school in Washington and graduated from Washington High School in 1958.

Darlene worked as an office manager at Nicola and Harmon in Washington. After moving to Davenport, she worked as a secretary in advertising at the Davenport Times Democrat. In 1962, she moved to Des Moines, where she served as secretary in advertising for the Des Moines Register. She later worked at an advertising agency and TV station in San Antonio, Texas, and in 1972, she relocated back to Des Moines to work as the media director for an advertising agency. Darlene worked for the Friends of Iowa Public Television and in 1980, became the Executive Secretary to the General Manager of the Des Moines Register.

In 1984, Darlene moved back to Washington, where she worked at KCII. In 1987, she became a bookkeeper and later worked at Day & Meeker Abstract Company and later Bordwell Abstract Company until her retirement. Following her retirement, Darlene spent several years in Ohio with her sister, Betty, and family.

While living in Washington, she volunteered at the Chamber of Commerce and wrote for the Washington Evening Journal. Darlene was the publicity chair for the Sesquicentennial in 1989 and for the Washington RAGBRAI Committee.

She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Betty Valardo.