Darlene Humpal

Darlene Humpal, age 84, of Calmar, IA, died on Friday, July 22, 2011, at the Aase Haugen Nursing Home in Decorah, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, IA, with Rev. Donald Hawes presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel in Calmar, IA, and also after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Wednesday morning. There will be a rosary at 4:00 and a scripture service at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Darlene Mae (Jirak) Humpal was born on February 25, 1927, the daughter of Frank and Zephie (Koshatka) Jirak on the family farm near Little Turkey, IA. Darlene attended Rudolphinum Catholic School in Protivin, High School in Dubuque and Normal Teacher training in Cedar Falls, IA. Darlene married Melvin Humpal on November 26, 1946, at the Assumption Catholic Church in Little Turkey, Iowa. Together they farmed on the Humpal farm for many years, until she entered the nursing home in 2006. Darlene especially loved her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s many events, such as school and 4-H programs and the county fair. Darlene was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church and the Rosary Society, and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She also volunteered at the Winneshiek Medical Center. Darlene is survived by her daughter: Melvina (James V.) Bina, Columbus, OH. One son: David (Kathy) Humpal, Calmar, IA. Four grandchildren: Chad (Amanda) Humpal and their son: Landon Alan; Jeremy (Calista) Humpal and their daughter: Gracyn Ella; Jamie Humpal and Megan Humpal. One brother: Arnold “Bud” (Rita) Jirak, Waucoma, IA One brother-in-law: Ermin (Pauline) Humpal, Milwaukee, WI. One sister-in-law: Rosemary Holthaus, Tomah, WI, along with many nieces and nephews. Darlene was preceded in death by her husband: Melvin on Sept. 19, 2009. Two sons: John on Sept. 1, 1953, and Mark on May 27, 1987. Her parents: Frank and Zephie (Koshatka) Jirak. Her father and mother-in-law: Leonard and Cecelia (Klimesh) Humpal. Two brothers-in-law: Virgil (Virginia) Humpal and Rufus Holthaus.