Obituary: Darlene Lavon Prather

Darlene Lavon (Amis) Prather, was born on February 6, 1925, on the farm, near  Greenville, Iowa to Farris (F.E.) Amis and Anna Marie (Swanson) Amis. She passed away at the  Spencer Hospital at the age of 100 on October 1, 2025, after living a life full of adventure and  service.  

She graduated from Greenville Schools in 1942 and went on to Secretarial School in  Omaha, Nebraska that provided on the job training at General Foods. While in Omaha she took  a position with the Rogers family, whose mother died in childbirth. This included being a nanny  for Colonel Frank Kurtz and his wife Margo’s daughter Swoosie Kurtz. With this job, she was  able to travel all over the United States including Washington DC, San Antonio and Los  Angeles.  

 In 1953 Darlene headed back to Iowa and attended Buena Vista College to get a two-year  teaching degree and then taught second grade for a year in Albert City. It was here she met  Virgil Prather, through her friend and and former roommate, Mary Klatt. They were married on  May 24, 1957.  

 Darlene was the Queen of volunteering in Spencer and Clay County. This began when she  first moved to Spencer, throughout her children’s childhood and up until about age 97.  Activities for her included Church, teaching Sunday School and for MOPS watching children.  She volunteered for the American Legion Auxiliary selling poppies, Meals on Wheels,  Community Theatre, RSVP and driving patients to appointments. In 2023, she was honored for  50 years of volunteering in the Culinary Arts at the Clay County Fair.  

 Darlene and Virgil were very involved in the Two Cylinder Club; Car Club, IGLAA, and Albert  City Threshermen. For the most part, Darlene and Virgil spent most of their retirement doing  things together. They could be seen at most Old Car and Tractor events and in Parades  showing their old cars off. One of Darlene’s favorite activities was bowling.   Family was important to Darlene. She and Virgil helped John out with his foster kids. And  when Stephanie, their only Grandchild was born, they put many miles on their cars driving to  Hudson and northeast Iowa to her events. Darlene loved watching Steph play sports and  getting to know all her friends. While she did not have great grandchildren, she loved the family  pets, including dog Augie and cats, Lily, Twi, Stormi, Puddy, Lobo and Trinket.   Darlene was one of a kind. Sassy, feisty and making sure things were scheduled or directing  you to make sure they happened on time.  

 The last few years were tough on Darlene, but she had a new home at Riverview. They took  good care of her, and she kept them all on her toes. She loved it when Jim and family would  come and always gave advice for Stephanie. We cannot thank Jana and team enough for the  care they provided Darlene, the last year and a half.  

 She is survived, by her youngest son, Jim, and his wife Barb and only grandchild Stephanie.  She is also survived by her brother-in-law Dana (Carole), nieces Kristen Hutchinson and Karen  DeFrancesca and their families and nephews Keith Prather, Jeff Amis and TC Evans and their  families.  

 Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Virgil, sons, John and Jay, brother  Everett (Verlie) Amis, and sister Geraldine.