(Virginia) Darlene Noll, the second of five children born to Andrew E. and Louise (Biewen) Shelangoski near Brighton, Iowa, on October 5, 1936, died peacefully Sunday, January 14, 2024, in Galesburg, Illinois. Her family farmed in the Brighton, Fairfield, and Birmingham Iowa areas until a 1949 move to Muscatine, Iowa, where she completed high school at Muscatine Catholic School in 1954.
After high school, she worked at the W.T. Grant Co., the Muscatine Journal, Nietzel’s, H.J. Heinz, Dutch Mill Ice Cream, and the Pizza King. In 1969, she began her career with Avon Co., starting as an entry-level representative. In 1971, upon being promoted to an Avon district manager, she and her family moved to Galesburg, Illinois. She retired from her position with Avon in 2000.
Darlene married Robert J. Noll at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Muscatine, Iowa, on July 6, 1957, from whom she was preceded in death in August 1998. Their children are Michael R. (Carol) Noll and Laurie A. (Dave) Plunk both of Galesburg, Illinois, Daniel S. (Wynette) Noll of Charleston, Illinois, and Heather M. (Chris) Sliva of Rockford, Illinois. Their grandchildren are Dustin (Jen) Dunn, Sean (Lindsey) Dunn, Lindsay Noll, Jacob Noll, Sheridan (Ben) Perry, Keegan Noll, Nollan Sliva, Audrey Sliva, and Dillon Sliva. Their great grandchildren are Dominick and Bentley Dunn and Adalynn Dunn. Surviving siblings of Darlene are her sister-in-law, Jeanie Shelangoski, of Muscatine, Iowa, her brother John (Sharon) Shelangoski of Muscatine, Iowa, and her brother Ron (Connie) Shelangoski of Durant, Iowa. Also surviving are brother and sisters-in-law, Tom (Marlene) Noll, Maureen Pallischeck, and Judy Strause, along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her oldest brother Martin in 2011 and an infant sister Ann in 1938.
Besides spending time with her family and grandchildren, as well as enjoying her home, “Noll Acres,” Darlene enjoyed genealogy, travel, drama, and the theater. She portrayed Mary in Our Lady of Fatima and Emily in Our Town during high school and participated in the Community Players rendition of Lost Horizon and Laura. She was a devout catholic over her life and was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and Ladies of Mary since her 1971 move to Galesburg.
Visitation will be from 10:00 am. to 11:30 am. Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Galesburg, Illinois. The rosary will be prayed at 11:30 am. with the funeral mass beginning at 12:00 pm. and burial to follow at Hope Cemetery in Warren County. A Celebration of Life and Luncheon will be held at The Thomas Legacy Center to follow the services. Memorial contributions may be directed to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
