Ankeny
Darlene Ann (Obirek) Salsberry, 85, passed away with her family by her side early on January 8,
2024, at Unity Point (Methodist) in Des Moines, Iowa, after suffering from acute cardiac
complications. Darlene was born on December 21, 1938, in Pershing, Iowa, to Santina (Sunday)
and John Obirek. She and husband Tom, who passed in June 2020, were residents of Ankeny,
Iowa, since October 2003, after having enjoyed 43 years living in Melcher-Dallas, Iowa, where
they had raised their three children while Darlene worked in her salon, The Beauty Spot.
Darlene and Tom were members of both Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Melcher-Dallas, and at
the Basilica of St. John, in Des Moines. Darlene's cherished memories are of her years as a
cosmetology instructor, religious educator, and involvement in the Life in the Spirit community
at St. Ambrose in Des Moines. She enjoyed caring for all of her grandchildren and watching
televised sports. As "The Italian Grandma," she loved feeding everyone who came to her house
with both her Italian and Polish inherited recipes, in addition to making Christmas candy. For
Darlene, Family was everything, but above that was her deep devotion to her Catholic Faith and
savior, Jesus Christ.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Christi Dhabalt; son Steven (Cynthia); brother John
Obirek; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; five "double
cousins"; and many other loving family and friends. Darlene was preceded in death by her
parents, her husband of 60 years, daughter Julie Knudsen, sister Kathy McNamara, and nephew
Johnny Obirek.
Due to the fact that Darlene has several out of state relatives, the family wishes that all can
attend her services, so all services will be held later in May 2024. The Family will provide details
soon.
Darlene Ann (Obirek) Salsberry, 85, passed away with her family by her side early on January 8,
2024, at Unity Point (Methodist) in Des Moines, Iowa, after suffering from acute cardiac
complications. Darlene was born on December 21, 1938, in Pershing, Iowa, to Santina (Sunday)
and John Obirek. She and husband Tom, who passed in June 2020, were residents of Ankeny,
Iowa, since October 2003, after having enjoyed 43 years living in Melcher-Dallas, Iowa, where
they had raised their three children while Darlene worked in her salon, The Beauty Spot.
Darlene and Tom were members of both Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Melcher-Dallas, and at
the Basilica of St. John, in Des Moines. Darlene's cherished memories are of her years as a
cosmetology instructor, religious educator, and involvement in the Life in the Spirit community
at St. Ambrose in Des Moines. She enjoyed caring for all of her grandchildren and watching
televised sports. As "The Italian Grandma," she loved feeding everyone who came to her house
with both her Italian and Polish inherited recipes, in addition to making Christmas candy. For
Darlene, Family was everything, but above that was her deep devotion to her Catholic Faith and
savior, Jesus Christ.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Christi Dhabalt; son Steven (Cynthia); brother John
Obirek; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; five "double
cousins"; and many other loving family and friends. Darlene was preceded in death by her
parents, her husband of 60 years, daughter Julie Knudsen, sister Kathy McNamara, and nephew
Johnny Obirek.
Due to the fact that Darlene has several out of state relatives, the family wishes that all can
attend her services, so all services will be held later in May 2024. The Family will provide details
soon.
Ankeny
Darlene Ann (Obirek) Salsberry, 85, passed away with her family by her side early on January 8,
2024, at Unity Point (Methodist) in Des Moines, Iowa, after suffering from acute cardiac
complications. Darlene was born on December 21, 1938, in Pershing, Iowa, to Santina (Sunday)
and John Obirek. She and husband Tom, who passed in June 2020, were residents of Ankeny,
Iowa, since October 2003, after having enjoyed 43 years living in Melcher-Dallas, Iowa, where
they had raised their three children while Darlene worked in her salon, The Beauty Spot.
Darlene and Tom were members of both Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Melcher-Dallas, and at
the Basilica of St. John, in Des Moines. Darlene's cherished memories are of her years as a
cosmetology instructor, religious educator, and involvement in the Life in the Spirit community
at St. Ambrose in Des Moines. She enjoyed caring for all of her grandchildren and watching
televised sports. As "The Italian Grandma," she loved feeding everyone who came to her house
with both her Italian and Polish inherited recipes, in addition to making Christmas candy. For
Darlene, Family was everything, but above that was her deep devotion to her Catholic Faith and
savior, Jesus Christ.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Christi Dhabalt; son Steven (Cynthia); brother John
Obirek; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; five "double
cousins"; and many other loving family and friends. Darlene was preceded in death by her
parents, her husband of 60 years, daughter Julie Knudsen, sister Kathy McNamara, and nephew
Johnny Obirek.
Due to the fact that Darlene has several out of state relatives, the family wishes that all can
attend her services, so all services will be held later in May 2024. The Family will provide details
soon.
Darlene Ann (Obirek) Salsberry, 85, passed away with her family by her side early on January 8,
2024, at Unity Point (Methodist) in Des Moines, Iowa, after suffering from acute cardiac
complications. Darlene was born on December 21, 1938, in Pershing, Iowa, to Santina (Sunday)
and John Obirek. She and husband Tom, who passed in June 2020, were residents of Ankeny,
Iowa, since October 2003, after having enjoyed 43 years living in Melcher-Dallas, Iowa, where
they had raised their three children while Darlene worked in her salon, The Beauty Spot.
Darlene and Tom were members of both Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Melcher-Dallas, and at
the Basilica of St. John, in Des Moines. Darlene's cherished memories are of her years as a
cosmetology instructor, religious educator, and involvement in the Life in the Spirit community
at St. Ambrose in Des Moines. She enjoyed caring for all of her grandchildren and watching
televised sports. As "The Italian Grandma," she loved feeding everyone who came to her house
with both her Italian and Polish inherited recipes, in addition to making Christmas candy. For
Darlene, Family was everything, but above that was her deep devotion to her Catholic Faith and
savior, Jesus Christ.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Christi Dhabalt; son Steven (Cynthia); brother John
Obirek; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; five "double
cousins"; and many other loving family and friends. Darlene was preceded in death by her
parents, her husband of 60 years, daughter Julie Knudsen, sister Kathy McNamara, and nephew
Johnny Obirek.
Due to the fact that Darlene has several out of state relatives, the family wishes that all can
attend her services, so all services will be held later in May 2024. The Family will provide details
soon.
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