Darlene Caldwell

Darlene (Skip) Jeanne Caldwell, 90, passed away at the Courtyard Estates Care Center in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, on Saturday, September 19th, 2020. Darlene (Baker) Caldwell was born on August 20th, 1930 at her grandmother’s home in Woodward, Iowa. Darlene was raised in Woodward by her Grandmother and Grandfather, Cora and Otto Baker. Darlene graduated in 1948 from Woodward High School where she was active in multiple sports, band and choir. Upon graduation from high school, Darlene attended Drake University and graduated with a teaching degree in 1950. She began a lifelong teaching career at Redfield, IA in 1950, moving back to Woodward to teach in 1953. Darlene continued her teaching career in Ankeny and received her BA from Drake University in 1972. On May 19th, 1951, Darlene married her high school sweetheart, Robert Caldwell and later became the proud parents of Richard, Kathy, Ronald, Randy and Robert Caldwell. Darlene was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church in Iowa and Michigan. In 1973 the Des Moines Tractor Plant in Des Moines closed and Robert was transferred to Richmond, Michigan. Darlene moved with the three younger children to Richmond, Michigan and continued teaching at the Romeo Community School District. Darlene received her Masters of Arts- Teaching, from Oakland University in Michigan. Darlene retired from teaching in Michigan in 1997 and her and Robert returned to live in Urbandale, Iowa. In returning to Iowa, Darlene was blessed to be near her four grandchildren and her home became a family event location for many years. In Urbandale Darlene found a way to continue her love of teaching by assisting with the children’s reading programs in the Urbandale School system. Darlene is survived by all her children, her grandchildren Jeremy, Nicholas, Robbie and Annie, and her four great grandchildren Hayden, Callie, Aiden and Brittney Marie. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her grandparents Cora and Otto, her mother Bonnie, and her granddaughter Becky. She was also proceeded in death by Cora and Otto’s sons and daughters who she considered to be her brothers and sisters. A private family burial will take place at a later date.