Darlene Andera, 84

Oct. 27, 1937 —

Sept. 5, 2022

 

CALMAR - Darlene Andera, age 84, of rural Calmar died on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

Darlene Anne Samec was born on October 27, 1937 the daughter of Alois and Adella (Hosek) Samec in Cresco.  She attended Holy Trinity Catholic School in Protivin and graduated from Crestwood High School.  Darlene worked in New Hampton in a café and for families caring for small children. Darlene married Matt Andera on August 27, 1957 at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin.  

They made their home on the Andera family farm near Spillville, now a Century farm. Together they had six children: John, Janice, Jerald, Judy, Joyce and Joe.  Darlene enjoyed growing flowers, embroidering baby quilts and many other designs, bird watching and gardening.  She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Parish and Guild and the Spillville Historical Society. She prepared lunch for the parish weekly bingo for many years. Darlene joined the Clarence Bily Legion Auxiliary Unit 467 of Spillville in 1958. She was a member for 64 years and served as president for over 20 years.

Darlene is survived by her six children: John Andera, Calmar; Janice (Doug) Brock, Storm Lake; Jerald (Sandra) Andera, Calmar; Judy (Steve) Lechtenberg, Ft. Atkinson; Joyce (Chad) Kucera, Waukon and Joe (Jacki) Andera, Riceville.  Grandchildren: Brandon (Ashley) Brock, Danielle (Brett) Bohlman, Derek (Emma) Brock, Ryan, Michelle, Daniel and Jessica Lechtenberg, Mariah ( Cody Schwietert) Kucera, Rachel (Fiancé Ethan Osterhaus) and Logan Kucera, Devyn, Allysa, Alex, Josi Andera, Brian (Alathia) Andera, Megan, Amy Andera.  Great-grandchildren: Bryndalyn, Barrett, Andryk, Adrian, Bennett, Jaxson, Ava, Trace, Rainer, Asher, Arabella, Tryian, Aiden. Sister: Delores (Kenneth) Nehl, New Hampton. Sisters-in-law: Bonnie Samec, Manly; Doris Andera, Ft. Atkinson; and Janet Andera, Cresco.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Matt; her parents: Alois and Adella (Hosek) Samec; brothers: Virgil (Marlene) Samec and Jerome Samec; father and mother-in-law: Albert and Frances (Humpal) Andera; sisters-in-law, Adella (Carl) Peterson, Mary (James) Soukup, Marcella (Edward) Hayek and Frances (Leonard) Hageman;  brothers-in-law: Edward (Helen) Andera, Albert (Grace) Andera, Louis Andera, Frank (Georgina) Andera, Cyril Andera in infancy, William (Mary Ann) Andera, Robert Andera and Lawrence Andera.