Funeral Services for Darlene Faaborg, 93, of Jefferson will be 2:00 pm Friday, January 15, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson.  Visitation will be Friday, prior to the service at Trinity Lutheran Church from 10:00 am until the time of the service with the family present to greet friends from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.  Interment will be in the Jefferson Cemetery, Jefferson, Iowa.

Darlene Faaborg was born on August 25th, 1916 in Elk Horn, Iowa. The house where Darlene was born is now a historic landmark called the "Bedstemor's Hus" (Grandmother's House) and is part of the Danish Museum in Elk Horn. Darlene's parents, Nels and Sina Jorgensen, were renting the house at the time. Darlene's youth was spent in the Danish communities of Elk Horn and Kimballton.

Darlene married Folmer Faaborg, her high school sweetheart, in the Danish Lutheran Church in Elk Horn. The young couple moved to Des Moines for a few years, their first son was born, and then Folmer was drafted into the Army. He served in North Africa, India, and China during World War II. Darlene and Folmer moved their family to Jefferson in the early 50's and ran the Friendly Food grocery store, located on the northeast corner of the square. Later they purchased the Dairy Sweet, which was located across the street from the library. When the large supermarkets came to Jefferson, Folmer closed the Friendly Food and purchased a grocery store in Gowrie. They continued to live in Jefferson so the children would not have to leave their schools and friends. Darlene and Folmer had five children. The first four were boys, born four years apart, and then after 12 years, they had a girl. Darlene was a hard worker, spending days at the grocery store and nights taking care of the kids. However, every August the family enjoyed their vacation, going to Okoboji or Minnesota to fish and swim.

After Folmer died, Darlene spent 16 summers working in the gift shop at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. She received a plaque in honor of her service. Darlene enjoyed meeting and socializing with the other ladies who spent their summers at the Y. Darlene was also a pink lady at the hospital in Jefferson for many years.

Darlene entered long term care at the Greene County Medical Center in May of 2004. The staff there are wonderful people who do a great job dealing with the elderly and infirm. The people of Jefferson should be proud they have such a facility.

Darlene is survived by her children, Robert and Karen Faaborg of Cincinnati, Ohio, Roger and Diana Faaborg of Loveland, Colorado, John and Janice Faaborg of Columbia, Missouri, Jim and Becky Faaborg of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Sarah Jane Faaborg of Castle Rock, Colorado. Darlene also leaves her relatives Irene Christensen of Audubon, Iowa, Ed and June Faaborg of Johnston, Iowa, Gary and Rosemary Williamson of Audubon, Iowa, Sue and Clayt Lewis of Alexandria, MN, Charles and Joanne Frederiksen of Ames, Iowa, Charles and Kathy Davoren of Des Moines, Iowa, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.