White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

JESUP - Darlene Betty Close, 96 years old of Cedar Rapids, IA, and formerly of Jesup, IA, died Thursday, July 3, 2025, at her daughter’s home in Cedar Rapids.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. - Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church, Jesup, with burial at Cedar Crest Cemetery, Jesup. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., before services Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be posted at www.White-MtHope.com

Darlene was born February 24, 1929, in Black Hawk County, IA, the daughter of Kenneth Robert Walker and Hazel M. (Mosley) Walker. She graduated from Jesup Community Schools with the class of 1948. On April 4, 1953, she was united in marriage to Walter Dennis Close in Waterloo, IA. She worked at the Mental Health Institute in Independence for 23 years in the medical records department. She also was involved in 4H as a leader for 5 years. Darlene enjoyed cooking, camping, fishing and square dancing.

Darlene is survived by two daughters, Sharon (Michael) Keys of Cedar Rapids, Diane (Steve) Stocks of St. Ansgar, IA; 6 grandchildren, Jarod, Janielle, Jordan, Chad, Melissa and Jason; 12 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild with one on the way; 2 sisters-in law, Carolyn Walker of Jefferson City, MO, and Kate (Larry) Dickerson of the Villages in Florida.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter (April 15, 2004); a daughter, Shelly Close (1986); her parents; and brother, Donald Walker.

White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA, is in charge of the arrangements.