Darlene J. Dobson

Darlene J. Dobson, 87, of St. Paul, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, March 28, 2015, at her home. Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. The Rev. Vern Olson will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Sunset Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Dobson was born on July 30, 1927, at Belgrade, the daughter of Ralph and Madeline (Gress) Andersen. She is survived by her husband, Roland O. Dobson of St. Paul; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Laura Martinsen of St. Paul, Ann Martinsen and Donald Langer of Spalding, and Kerry Dobson and Bruce Reneaud of Omaha; and one sister, Bethel Elaine Ballenger of Loveland, CO. She also leaves to cherish her memory, 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Darlene grew up in the Belgrade area and graduated from St. Edward High School and then attended Midland Lutheran College in Fremont. Upon completing her education she taught school in Primrose for 3 years. She was united in marriage to Roland O. Dobson on Feb. 2, 1949, at St. Edward. The couple farmed northwest of Cedar Rapids until retiring in 1978, when they moved into Cedar Rapids. Darlene then worked at the Cedar Rapids Public Library for a number of years. On Nov. 1, 2013, the couple moved to St. Paul, where they resided at Matelyn Retirement Community. Darlene enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, sewing and growing African violets. She was preceded in death by her parents. Memorials are suggested to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department.