Memorial
Darlene “Zip” Fabian, 79, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, best friend and wife to Gordon, mother of five, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of three, quietly passed away with her family surrounding her on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at UnityPoint St. Luke’s Hospital.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at First Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Darlene was born February 3, 1938 in Joliet, Illinois to Russel Herbert and Christine Paula (Miller) Button. She earned her nickname, “Zip,” as a high school student. Her classmates thought they should update her maiden name, Button, to the more modern Zipper, and eventually shortened it to Zip. Darlene eloped with her beloved Gordon Richard Fabian in Aurora, Illinois on July 10, 1959. They shared sixty-two beautiful years together.
Darlene was a homemaker, proudly raising her five children and running her household. Her family was her greatest joy. She also enjoyed embroidery and sewing, and was the go-to person for clothing repairs amongst her family. She liked to keep her mind sharp by playing cards, especially bridge, and working on crossword puzzles each morning. She was a wiz at the video game “Doctor Mario.” Darlene will be deeply missed by those who loved her.
She is survived by her husband, Gordon; children: Terri (Troy) Arment, Paul (Mary) Fabian, Gary Fabian, Pamela (Matt) Harrison, and Angela Fabian; grandchildren Cassandra and Thomas Fabian; Daniel (Carly), Gregory, Michael, and Christopher Harrison; and great-grandchildren Aiden, Nolan, and Kaitlyn.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Joyce Gould.
Memorial donations in Darlene’s name may be made to First Lutheran Church.