Darlene Wallin, 81, of Spirit Lake passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Lakes Regional Health Care in Spirit Lake, IA.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at The United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Luncheon will be served after the Memorial Service at Wesley Place, followed by burial at Lake View Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake, IA. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
Darlene Mae (Perkins) Wallin was born on May 30, 1944, in Spencer, IA, to Virgil and Estella (Dodds) Perkins. She graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1962 and graduated from Stuart School of Hairstyling in Sioux City, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Dennis Wallin on June 21, 1963, in Spirit Lake. Dennis preceded her in death on February 17, 2013. Darlene and Dennis lived in many towns in the midwest from Rapid City to Omaha to Spencer, IA. They returned to Spirit Lake in the late 70s and Darlene worked until her retirement at Spirit Lake High School as an administrative assistant in the Guidance Counselor’s office, but most will probably remember her as the “Study Hall Monitor”.
She was a member of The United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake and with Dennis was a charter member of the University of Okoboji Corvette Club. Together they had many years enjoying Corvette Rallies, the beach and boating in Venice, Florida and Okoboji. Darlene enjoyed lifelong friendships with classmates, though, her greatest joy was her grandchildren, spending time with them at theme parks, collecting sea shells and sharks teeth on the beach and making them blankets from the fabric department at Walmart. She loved Coca-Cola, anything nautical, decorating her home and chocolate treats or cookies with her morning coffee.
She is survived by her sons, Dr. Doug (Missy) Wallin of Viborg, SD; and Dan (Nicole) Wallin of Plattsmouth, NE; six grandchildren; Cody, Sam, Cheyenne, Sydney, Savanna and Grace and four great grandchildren: Maverick, Jayce, Finn, and Mia; and her sister Alice Von Holdt of Lake Park, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother David Perkins, and her son David Wallin.