Berkenpas, Martha "Darlene" 1922- 2015

BERKENPAS, FRENCH, GIST

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/19/2017 at 12:58:20

Darlene Berkenpas

August 22, 2015

Martha 'Darlene' Berkenpas, age 93 of Orange City and formerly of Le Mars, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at the Orange City Area Health System in Orange City, Iowa.

Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at the United Methodist Church of Le Mars, 901 3rd Ave SE, Le Mars, Iowa, with Pastor John Battern officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Monday August 24, 2015 at the United Methodist Church of Le Mars with family present after 5:00 p.m. and a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars.

Martha 'Darlene' Berkenpas was born on June 18, 1922 to John and Martha Ella (Gist) French in Kingsley, Iowa. She was raised on the family farm in rural Kingsley and graduated from Kingsley High School in 1939. Darlene attended Western Union College in Le Mars for two years and graduated with a business degree. After college, she moved to Des Moines and worked for the State of Iowa. She then moved to Sioux City and was employed at Waite and Hruska Livestock Company. She was united in marriage to Donald Berkenpas on December 5, 1945 in Sioux City, Iowa and they made their home together on a farm north of Le Mars with their four children. Once their children were all in school, Darlene worked for the Treasure's Office in Plymouth County for over 10 years. Donald and Darlene lived on the farm together for 56 years until Donald's death in 2002. During the winter months, they spent their time in the McAllen, Texas area. Darlene continued to live on the farm until 2009 when she moved to Pioneer Home in Orange City. She later moved to Prairie Ridge Care Center in 2013. At a younger age, Darlene was very active in the Seney United Methodist Church, acting as Sunday School teacher and treasurer. She later became a member of the United Methodist Church of Le Mars. Darlene's favorite time was spent crocheting or spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Darlene is survived by her four children: Delbert (Cindy) Berkenpas of Le Mars, Darlis 'Dar' Berkenpas (Boyd Bristow) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Denise (Gerald) DeVries of Orange City, and Darwin 'Hank' (Alaska) Berkenpas of Le Mars; seven grandchildren: Brian (Chris) Berkenpas and son, Hunter; Brenda (Michael) Brands; Emily (Wayne) Huisman and their children, Taylor, Jacob, and Jesse; Kent DeVries; Gwen Berkenpas and her children, Cody and Kali; Andrea (Ryan) Hawkins and their children, Jorden, Jaydn, and J.J.; Ashley (Matt) Rinehart, and their children, MaKenna and Kolten; siblings: Emma Lee Bolton of Sioux City, Iowa, Maxine McCarty of Mesa, Arizona, Marcella Kranz of Moville, Iowa, and Wyndham French of Moville, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Gert Zoerink of Le Mars.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; brother, William French; sisters, Mary (Randall) Reinholdt and Frances (Harry) Juelfs; brothers-in-law, Mac McCarty and Don Kranz; and sister-in-law, Darlene French.

Carlsen Funeral Home
Le Mars, IA