Darlene Elnora Vance, age 79, of Clarksville, Iowa, was born the daughter of Jake and Emma (Hinders) DeGroote on April 17, 1935, rural Aplington, Iowa. She received her education near her home in Clarksville.
On May 2, 1952, Darlene was united in marriage with Francis Omri Vance at St. John Lutheran Church in Clarksville. The couple made their home in Clarksville their entire marriage. Darlene was a loving wife and mother to six children and to all who came to visit her. Everyone who stopped in always got to enjoy her home cooking and left feeling loved.
Darlene always had a great big heart she not only shared with her family but to everyone she knew. She enjoyed singing and had a special gift to yodel. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew her as La La, because she often rocked and sang to them in her soothing way. Darlene couldn’t wait also for friends to bring their children too as they were born so she could see them and cuddle them too.
She was well known as the best cook in the family, especially her chicken and dumplings. She truly enjoyed making wonderful meals for all to enjoy along with a cup of tea.
Darlene passed away on Friday evening January 16, 2015, at Mayo Clinic & St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota of natural causes.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Ann Bartell, Hilda Sells, Annette Sessler and Ruth Busching; three brothers, Clarence DeGroote, Wally DeGroote and Hank DeGroote; and one grandson-in-law, Shawn Clark.
Darlene is survived by her husband of 62 years, Frank Vance of Clarksville; six children, Frankie (Barb) Vance of Clarksville, Larry Vance of Harrison, AR, Lola (Dave) Dohlman of Dumont, Valerie (special friend, William Smith of Dumont) Bliss of Luana, IA, Kim (Bob) Franken of Clear Lake, and Henry (JJ) Vance of Clarksville; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one brother, Jake DeGroote of Bristow; two sisters, Dorothy Jans of Clarksville, and Alice (Jim) Jacobs of Allison; one sister-in-law, Dottye DeGroote of Kingman, AZ; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 22, 2015, at Immanuel United Church of Christ with burial at Lynwood Cemetery both in Clarksville.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, at the Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Clarksville, (319)278-4245, and one hour before services at the church.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Darlene Elnora Vance, age 79, of Clarksville, Iowa, was born the daughter of Jake and Emma (Hinders) DeGroote on April 17, 1935, rural Aplington, Iowa. She received her education near her home in Clarksville.
On May 2, 1952, Darlene was united in marriage with Francis Omri Vance at St. John Lutheran Church in Clarksville. The couple made their home in Clarksville their entire marriage. Darlene was a loving wife and mother to six children and to all who came to visit her. Everyone who stopped in always got to enjoy her home cooking and left feeling loved.
Darlene always had a great big heart she not only shared with her family but to everyone she knew. She enjoyed singing and had a special gift to yodel. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew her as La La, because she often rocked and sang to them in her soothing way. Darlene couldn’t wait also for friends to bring their children too as they were born so she could see them and cuddle them too.
She was well known as the best cook in the family, especially her chicken and dumplings. She truly enjoyed making wonderful meals for all to enjoy along with a cup of tea.
Darlene passed away on Friday evening January 16, 2015, at Mayo Clinic & St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota of natural causes.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Ann Bartell, Hilda Sells, Annette Sessler and Ruth Busching; three brothers, Clarence DeGroote, Wally DeGroote and Hank DeGroote; and one grandson-in-law, Shawn Clark.
Darlene is survived by her husband of 62 years, Frank Vance of Clarksville; six children, Frankie (Barb) Vance of Clarksville, Larry Vance of Harrison, AR, Lola (Dave) Dohlman of Dumont, Valerie (special friend, William Smith of Dumont) Bliss of Luana, IA, Kim (Bob) Franken of Clear Lake, and Henry (JJ) Vance of Clarksville; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one brother, Jake DeGroote of Bristow; two sisters, Dorothy Jans of Clarksville, and Alice (Jim) Jacobs of Allison; one sister-in-law, Dottye DeGroote of Kingman, AZ; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 22, 2015, at Immanuel United Church of Christ with burial at Lynwood Cemetery both in Clarksville.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, at the Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Clarksville, (319)278-4245, and one hour before services at the church.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
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