Darlene Estelle Moore, 75, of Waterloo died at Allen Memorial Hospital Friday, January 16, 2009 of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

She was born May 19, 1933 in Denison, Iowa, the daughter of John and Florence Davis Grill.

Darlene graduated from Coon Rapids, Iowa High School and then from the Waterloo School of Beauty in 1951. Following graduation Darlene worked as a beautician at Pitzie’s in downtown Waterloo. Darlene married George “Ed” Moore on May 10, 1953 in Waterloo. After the birth of their daughter in 1964, she ran her own shop from her home in Waterloo for many years.

Darlene was very active in the Kittrell Elementary PTA, West Junior and West High Parent/Teacher groups. She was a member and Secretary of the Snohawks Snowmobile Club. Combining her love of travel and being a motorcycle enthusiast, Darlene was very involved with the Honda Gold Wing Road Riders Chapter I and held several positions over the years. She and Ed were honored to be chosen the 2005 Couple of the Year for Chapter I of the GWRRA. Darlene was a member of the Red Hat Society and served as Queen Mother of the Honda Hotties Red Hat Group.

Darlene was a talented artist known for her beautiful hand-painted crafts and decorations. She was a gifted seamstress sewing wedding gowns for brides and bridesmaids as well as outfits for family and friends and costumes for the Waterloo Community Playhouse. Darlene was an avid gardener and her yard overflowed with a large variety of colors and types of flowers. She had a soft spot for animals and enjoyed watching birds, especially cardinals and doves.

Darlene is survived by Ed, her husband of 55 years, daughter Lisa Tegels and her husband Michael of Urbandale, granddaughter Elin Tegels and grandson Joe Tegels. She also is survived by her brother David Nelsen of Waterloo, sister Carol Adair of Waterloo, and step brother Ron Gitsch and his wife Ann of Independence.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father Arnold Nelsen, and infant daughter Sharon Ann.