Bernice Elena Darnold

Bernice Elena Darnold, the oldest of ten children of Eugena Euhanna (Testroet) and Cornelius Hiram Yoder, was born on September 10, 1919 on a farm in Cedar Township, Washington County, Iowa, where she grew up and attended school.

Bernice and Floyd Jay Darnold were married on February 18, 1939 in Marion, Iowa and moved to live on a farm northwest of Malvern, Iowa. Their marriage was blessed with three sons, Floyd Duane, James Cornelius, and Francis Jay.

Bernice was a busy farmwife and mother. She worked 25 years as the librarian at the Silver City Library in Silver City, Iowa. Bernice was a member of the Women's Service to Christian Society at the East Liberty Methodist Church, Silver City Women's Club, Red Hat Society, OTO (Our Thursday Off) Club in Silver City, and worked for the Silver City Election Board for many years.

Bernice loved attending area country music festivals. Among her enjoyments were gardening, flowers, sewing, quilting, crocheting, calligraphy, and playing card games of pitch and solitaire. She loved to bake and had open class entries in baking and gardening at the Mills County Fair, winning several ribbons. Bernice especially loved being a mom and grandma and her family was her pride and joy.

Bernice and Jay were married 37 years when Jay passed away on March 29, 1976. She continued to make her home on the farm.

Bernice passed away on February 9, 2013 at the Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the age of 93 years, 4 months, and 29 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jay; infant son James Darnold; sisters, Glennes Yoder in infancy, Wilma Rhodebeck, Doris Patterson, and Dessel Miller; and brothers, Marvin Yoder and Donald Yoder.
Bernice is survived by her sons, Floyd Darnold and wife Linda, and Francis Darnold and wife Connie, all of Malvern; seven grandchildren, Kenneth Darnold of Emerson, IA, Mike Darnold and wife Lisa, Allen Darnold, David Darnold, all of Malvern, Susan Darnold and Greg Peterson, of Glenwood, IA, Dean Darnold of Malvern, Doreen Darnold and fiancA(c) Elliott Tackett of Council Bluffs; five great grandchildren, Ashley Darnold and Josh Elwood, Kenneth Darnold Jr and Sasha Miller, Brandon Darnold, Corey Darnold, and Henry Darnold; two step great grandchildren, Alexis Seberger and Cassandra Marshall; one great-great granddaughter Lily Elizabeth Elwood; sisters, Leila Stroeh of La Crosse, WI, and Margaret Brogla, and Janice Wenman, both of Coralville, IA; sisters-in-law, Naomi Darnold of Council Bluffs, and Doris Jones of Plant City, FL; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Memorials are directed to the family.

Interment in the East Liberty Cemetery.

Loess Hills Funeral Home of Malvern in charge of arrangements.