1940
Darlene
2012
Darlene Meints
March 27, 1940 — February 24, 2012
Darlene E. "Dee" Meints, 71 of Steamboat Rock, Iowa went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, February 24, 2012 at Valley View Nursing and Rehab Center in Eldora, Iowa. Her strong will was evident in her courageous battle against scleroderma for more than twenty-five years. Funeral Services will be at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, February 28 at the Eldora United Methodist Church in Eldora with Pastor Bruce Baillie of the First Presbyterian Church of Steamboat Rock officiating. Visitation will be from 4pm to 8pm on Monday, February 27 at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora. Following cremation, a private family burial will be held at a later date, at the Steamboat Rock Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Dee's family and will be used to further scleroderma research.
She was born March 27, 1940 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, daughter of Walter and Esther (Frerichs) Steinfeldt. Dee attended school in Iowa Falls and then graduated from Steamboat Rock High School with the class of 1957. She was united in marriage to Larry Meints on November 18, 1960 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora. They made their home on the family farm east of Steamboat Rock, and to this union were born four children Brad, Bryan, Renee and Loree.
Dee was known for her hard work, working on the farm while raising four children. In 1978 she bought The Green Door Restaurant where for more than twenty-one years she created great food, a lively atmosphere and lifelong friendships. She also owned and operated the Rock Stop for 14 years. Dee was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church where she was presently serving as a Deacon. She enjoyed caring for her flowers, and greatly enjoyed spending time with her family and friends especially the Sunday night tradition that continues. Her biggest smiles came from every moment spent with her seven grandchildren and she felt blessed that her family was so emotionally and physically connected.
Dee is survived by her husband, Larry; sons, Brad and his wife, Deb of Steamboat Rock, and Bryan and his wife Jo of Eldora; daughters, Renee Balvanz of Eldora and her friend Daryl Hartwig, and Loree Salvo of Eldora and her husband Greg; by seven grandchildren, Dakota, Dayton and Dru Balvanz, Brandon and Justin Meints, and Emma and Ava Salvo; and a sister-in-law, Liz Steinfeldt of Steamboat Rock. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Duane Steinfeldt.
She was born March 27, 1940 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, daughter of Walter and Esther (Frerichs) Steinfeldt. Dee attended school in Iowa Falls and then graduated from Steamboat Rock High School with the class of 1957. She was united in marriage to Larry Meints on November 18, 1960 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora. They made their home on the family farm east of Steamboat Rock, and to this union were born four children Brad, Bryan, Renee and Loree.
Dee was known for her hard work, working on the farm while raising four children. In 1978 she bought The Green Door Restaurant where for more than twenty-one years she created great food, a lively atmosphere and lifelong friendships. She also owned and operated the Rock Stop for 14 years. Dee was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church where she was presently serving as a Deacon. She enjoyed caring for her flowers, and greatly enjoyed spending time with her family and friends especially the Sunday night tradition that continues. Her biggest smiles came from every moment spent with her seven grandchildren and she felt blessed that her family was so emotionally and physically connected.
Dee is survived by her husband, Larry; sons, Brad and his wife, Deb of Steamboat Rock, and Bryan and his wife Jo of Eldora; daughters, Renee Balvanz of Eldora and her friend Daryl Hartwig, and Loree Salvo of Eldora and her husband Greg; by seven grandchildren, Dakota, Dayton and Dru Balvanz, Brandon and Justin Meints, and Emma and Ava Salvo; and a sister-in-law, Liz Steinfeldt of Steamboat Rock. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Duane Steinfeldt.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Darlene Meints, please visit our flower store.