Darlene “Dar” Evenski, 71, Boone, Iowa
BOONE, Iowa—Darlene “Dar” Evenski, 71, of Boone, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.
Darlene was born November 19, 1954, in Pipestone, Minnesota, the daughter of Curtis and Minnie (Pap) Pate. She moved with her family from Minnesota, to Madrid, Iowa. As a teenager, she worked at her mom’s café, “Min’s Café”, and graduated from Madrid High School in 1973. Darlene lived in Sedalia, Missouri, for a few years before returning to Madrid, and eventually moving to Boone in 1994.
Darlene worked for a short time at the Woodward Resource Center (previously Woodward State Hospital and School), but spent most of her working years at the Madrid Home, when she wasn’t helping with the family-owned business “Pates Produce”. In 1996, Darlene returned to the Madrid Home until her retirement. Darlene was a hard worker and would do whatever she could to help you out.
Darlene loved playing Bingo, and would play three to four nights a week. She enjoyed word search puzzle books, traveling, country music, and spending time with her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Robert “Bob” Pate; and two brothers, John Pate and Willie Pate.
Darlene is survived by her children, Lisa (Tyler Davis) Anderson of Boone and Wills Evenski of Boone; five grandchildren, Mitch Pate of Des Moines, Cody Pate of Ames, Michelle Dickerson of Boone, Connor Anderson of Boone, and Paige Anderson of Boone; and a bonus grandson, Timothy “Jr.” Sheridan of Boone, four nephews, Jason, Travis, Rhys and Scott Pate, and a niece Amy McCormick.
A Celebration of Dar’s life will be held Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the Boone Pioneer Senior Citizen’s Center, 1112 Story Street, Boone, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, with an honorary game of Bingo at 2:00 PM.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Darlene’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com
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