Darlene A. Palmer

Darlene "Punkie" Palmer, 81, of Mason City, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at the IOOF Home in Mason City, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. An open-house celebration of life will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026 at Major Erickson Funeral Home. Inurnment has taken place at Westside Cemetery in Marble Rock, Iowa. 

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Darlene Ann (Junker) Palmer was born October 27, 1944 to Tony and Grace (Perton) Junker, the second youngest of five children. She was raised in Greene, Iowa, and attended the Greene school system. When Darlene later married, she moved to the Marble Rock area, and worked at the North Iowa Area Community College in food service. After her divorce, Darlene would attend NIACC as well, and graduated with a business degree to become a nutrition specialist for schools in the area.

Darlene was a proudly independent and strong-willed woman, willing and able to accomplish whatever was necessary to support herself and her three boys. Her impressive capabilities instilled a strong work ethic in the boys, which they themselves would later pass down to Darlene's grandchildren, who she loved very fiercely. In her spare time, Darlene enjoyed baking, cooking, and befriending the neighborhood cats. She was a life-long gardener, and could be found in her own garden or the gardens of friends and family regardless of the weather, caring for flowers, vegetables, and other plants. Most of all she loved her time spent with her grandchildren, who never failed to put a smile on her face.

Darlene is survived by her children, Brian Palmer, Rick (Billie Jo) Palmer, and Lyle (Julie) Palmer; grandchildren, Shaleah Montano, Emily Palmer, Eric Palmer, Jason Johnson, and Jamie Johnson; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous other friends and family.She was preceded in death by her parents Tony and Grace Junker; siblings, Fred "Sonny" Junker, Grace "Tootie" Debner, Bob Junker, and Karen Soike; and nephew, Wayne Junker.