Darlene E. “Dar” Oglesby, age 89, of Dubuque, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Stonehill Health Center surrounded by love.  To celebrate Darlene’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at St. Patrick Church, 1425 Iowa Street.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, at St. Patrick Church, with Rev. Dennis J. Quint officiating.  Inurnment will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.  Behr Funeral Home is assisting Darlene’s family.

Born on December 9, 1935, in Dubuque to Catherine and Clarence Oglesby, Dar was the second of 13 children – a role that shaped her life in the most loving way.  She was a natural caregiver, helping to raise her younger brothers and sisters, and later becoming “Aunt Dar” to a whole generation of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.  Her love for family was endless and unconditional.

Dar had a joyful spirit and a playful heart.  She loved spending time with kids, playing board games, piecing together jigsaw puzzles, and testing her quick wit with Jeopardy.  Her evenings weren’t complete without her favorite show, Wheel of Fortune – often answering before the contestants did!  She was a lifelong Cubs fan and was fortunate to see them win a World Series!  She was also the family’s master baker, making sure everyone’s birthday was celebrated with their favorite homemade cake.

To know Dar was to know kindness, humor and warmth.  She was a steady presence in the lives of many, her absence will be deeply felt.

Those left to cherish Darlene’s memory include

her siblings,
Harold (Ann) Oglesby,
Margaret Oglesby
and Mary Oglesby, all of Dubuque, IA;

a sister-in-law,
Carol Oglesby, Dubuque, IA,

a brother-in-law,
Bill Leytem, Dubuque, IA;

and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Gordon, Frank, Larry (Shirley), Bill, John, Robert and Richard; sisters, Marilyn Thomas and Patricia Arensdorf; nieces, Billy Jo Oglesby, Vickie Sauser, Jackie Fitzgibbons, Debbie Cashman, Kelly Kohl and nephew, Mike Oglesby.

Her family would like to thank the caring and devoted staff at Stonehill Health Center, especially Adrienne, for the love and compassion they showed Dar during her time there, as well as Hospice of Dubuque for ensuring her comfort in her final day.

Memorials made in Darlene’s memory will benefit the Michael W. Oglesby Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, Hospice of Dubuque and Stonehill Health Center, and may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Darlene Oglesby Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com