Darlene J. Peterson, age 75, of Storm Lake, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 at her home in Storm Lake. 

Graveside service will be held Saturday, July 8, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Scandinavian Cemetery in Alta, Iowa.  The arrangements are under the direction of the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.

There will be no visitation.

Darlene Joyce Sundberg was born on June 14, 1931, in Alta, Iowa, the daughter of the late John and Lucille Sundberg. She attended school in Alta.  Darlene was baptized, confirmed and remained a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta.

On November 14, 1952, Darlene was united in marriage to Floyd Henry Peterson, who was also from Alta.  This union was blessed with two sons:  John and Robert.  They resided in Storm Lake, Iowa several years.  In 1957, they relocated to Fort Worth, Texas where they remained until her husband’s death.  In1994, Darlene moved back to Storm Lake due to poor health. 

Darlene will be remembered by many friends and family for her artistic abilities in both poetry and art.  In Texas, she shared her talents by teaching arts and crafts for many years.

In 1979, Darlene received national attention for a cross she designed for Elvis Presley’s grave in Memphis, Tennessee.  In addition, she received several awards for her poetry.

Darlene was such a devoted mother, wife and friend to many, and this gave her the greatest pleasure in life.  She will be missed dearly. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd; her father and mother John and Lucille Sundberg; son, Robert Eldon; three brothers: Ronnie, Robert and Eldon Sundberg; three nephews, Todd, Jim and Jeff and one niece, Jeanne.

Those left to mourn Darlene are her son, John of Fort Worth, Texas; sisters: Diane (Roger) Schramm of Storm Lake, Sandy (Randy) Hogrefe of Storm Lake and Elaine (Bill) Walsh of Phoenix, Arizona; sisters-in-law Charlotte Sundberg of Alta and Gayle Sundberg of Storm Lake; brother Gary (Mary) Sundberg of Peoria, Arizona and Kenneth (Marge) Sundberg of Cherokee; step-son Gary (Janie) Peterson of Cloquet, Minnesota; two grandsons, Danny and Chris; granddaughter Anna; best friend for 40 years, Janie Maxie of Fort Worth, Texas; and many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.