Darleen Francis Macek

Darleen Francis (Weber) Macek of Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint, ID passed away peacefully on August 4, 2015. She was surrounded by her seven children at her son’s home in Coeur d’Alene. Darleen was born February 14, 1923 in Stuart, Nebraska the oldest of the four children of Frank and Bernadette Weber. She spent her elementary and secondary school years in Long Pine, Nebraska. Darleen continued her education at St Mary’s High School in O’Neill, NE. She went on to study nutrition at Mt. Saint Scholastica in Atchison, KS where she graduated in 1944. On September 23, 1946, Paul Edward Macek and Darleen were married and made their home in Lincoln, NE. The family soon increased in size. Over the course of the next 18 years, they were blessed with seven children. Annual family photos reflect the joy and pride of the young couple as well as the same dresses worn by four sisters as they were handed down over the years. The Macek family relocated to Aberdeen, SD in 1966 and later to Durango, CO in 1969 following Paul’s career moves in Nursing Home Administration. At the time of Paul’s death in 1972, Darleen and the four youngest children returned to Lincoln. In 2005, at the age of 82, Darleen accepted the invitation to join her children and grandchildren in Sandpoint, ID. She sold her townhome, her car, and downsized. After that, as Darleen said, “My bicycle, the orange sting-ray with the black leather banana seat, u-shaped handlebars and bell, was my transportation. I rode my bike to “work”, volunteering at Bizarre Bazaar.” Darleen was an active parishioner and maintained her involvement in the Catholic Churches in each local community where she resided. She was honored for her commitment to the Lancaster Community Blood Bank, donating over eleven gallons. She was a 40-year member of the American Legion. Darleen was an active member of the Sandpoint Community Assistance League. It is evident that Darleen was involved in and touched many lives. Her joy of living and loving was instantly evident. Dar had only friends, no strangers. She lit up the room with her smile and spunky attitude. Everybody loved Darleen! Throughout her life, she had a very strong faith and knew that God had His hand on her life. She spent her final three years in Coeur d’Alene, ID. Darleen is survived by her seven children; Paul E. Macek II (Peoria, IL), Mary Beth Pratt (Salt Lake City, UT), Cynthia A. Nielsen (Sandpoint, ID), Diane M. Gibson (Spokane, WA), J. Bruce Macek (Coeur d’Alene, ID), Terese M. Luikens (Sandpoint, ID), and Mark A. Macek (Coeur d’Alene, ID). Darleen was blessed with and is survived by twelve grandchildren; John Paul and Steven Macek, Krysta Naley Case and Alex Naley, Robert and Erik Nielsen, Elisha Macek Ward, Jason and Andrew Macek and Jacob, Samuel and Jordan Luikens. Additionally, four great-grandchildren were born into the family; Xander Macek, Rowan and Asher Luikens, and Connor Case. Darleen’s surviving siblings Doug Weber and Shirley Minchow both reside in Lincoln, NE Darleen is preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Paul E. Macek, her parents Frank and Bernadette Weber, and her brother Duane Weber. Our lives will forever reflect the love and devotion of Mom. Services will be held at Coffelt Funeral Chapel, 109 North Division, Sandpoint, ID on Monday, August 10, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Interment services will be held at Calvary Cemetery, 145 South 40th, Lincoln, NE on September 23, 2015. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Community Assistance League of Sandpoint, ID or North Idaho Hospice of Coeur d’Alene, ID.