Darlene Mae Sawyer, 86, of Montour, passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama under the care of Hospice Compassus. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama. Interment will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Montour. Visitation will be held Friday, September 22, 2017 from 4 - 7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Darlene was born on July 17, 1931, in Toledo, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Elsie (Pitka) Dvorak.

She graduated from Toledo High School.

On July 7, 1950, she was united in marriage to Roger Sawyer in Des Moines, Iowa. They made their home in Montour. Darlene loved gardening. She sold pumpkins, gourds, squash and Indian corn and was known as the "pumpkin lady." She also enjoyed playing cards. Darlene loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and adored her cat, Darla.

Survivors include her children, Deb (Tom) Williams of Montour, Rick (Pat) Sawyer of Garwin, Jeff (Sally) Sawyer of Marshalltown, Tom (Judy) Sawyer of Montour, Todd (Sue) Sawyer of Toledo, and Tim Sawyer of Montour; fifteen grandchildren; thirty-two great-grandchildren and one on the way; one great-great grandson; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Roger on December 5, 2005; one sister, Ruth Dvorak; one brother, Melvin Dvorak; and her good friend, Neil Madeson.

Memorials may be directed to Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama or Hospice Compassus.