Darlene Kephart

Darlene Grace (Kruger) Kephart, age 92 of Grinnell and formerly of Riceville, Iowa, passed away on August 5, 2026 at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell from complications of a stroke.

A private family service will be held in Riceville, IA with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Riceville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated in her memory to benefit the St. Francis Manor Foundation in Grinnell or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Riceville. Please mail memorials in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with her family online at www.smithfh.com.

Darlene was born on August 20, 1933, in Riceville, Iowa to Marvin and Lena (Ring) Kruger. She was raised in Riceville and graduated from Riceville High School in 1951. She and Kenneth Kephart were married at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Riceville on August 19, 1961, and had three children: Doug, Lori and Steve.

Darlene was a dedicated homemaker and educator, teaching in various schools and elementary positions in Orchard, Charles City, and Riceville, Iowa, as well as Rawlings, Wyoming, early in her career. She earned her degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1984. Her passion for education touched the lives of many students over the years.

Beyond her professional life, Darlene found joy in her hobbies. She cherished spending time with family fishing at Leech Lake, MN, for many years. After retiring, she spent her winters in Apache Junction, AZ with Kenneth. Following his passing in 2019, she left Riceville and relocated to Grinnell, Iowa where she resided at Seeland Park and St. Francis Manor. Here she found comfort in being close to her daughter and family, including her great-grandchildren and their activities, as well as playing cards and participating in residential activities.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, her parents Marvin & Lena Kruger, her brother Donald Kruger, and her sisters Jean Hockens and Shirley DeVries.

She is survived by her children, Doug (Jennifer Anderson) Kephart of Dassel, MN, Lori (Ralph) Elliott of Grinnell, IA, and Steve (Lisa) Kephart of Montpelier, VA. She cherished time with her grandchildren, Abby (Shaun) Meinke, Michael (Lindsay) Kephart, Ashley (Greg) Stock, Abby (Jeff) McCulley, Emily Elliott, Christopher (Julie) Kephart and Katie Kephart, as well as six great-grandchildren: Drake and Wyatt Kephart, Harper and Avery Stock, and Jack and Kate McCulley.

Darlene's memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.