Kiernan, Darlene E. Mrs. Thomas 1929- 2006

KIERNAN, REITVELD, VANDENBERGE

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 11/6/2010 at 19:39:25

DARLENE E. KIERNAN
Mrs. Darlene Kiernan, age 76, of 4 Rebecca Lane, Savannah, Georgia 31411, formerly of Orange City and Sioux Center, Iowa, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2006, at her home, with her husband and children at her side. Darlene Elva was the daughter of Peter Vanden Berge and Jennie (Reitveld) Vanden Berge. She was born in Orange City on September 28, 1929. Her family moved from their farm home to Orange City in 1944. Darlene was involved in area events and served as the Queen of the annual Tulip Festival at age 16. She enjoyed performing in a number of local theatre productions, and graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City. She taught elementary school students in Orange City and Le Mars, Iowa; Vermillion, South Dakota; and Bangor Maine. On June 9, 1951, Darlene married Thomas E. Kiernan, who was a student at the University of South Dakota. Throughout their married life, she remained very supportive of Tom's medical practices in Sioux Center, Iowa City and Newton, Iowa. She was a member of the Iowa State Medical Auxiliary and was active in the Jasper County and Skiff Medical Center Auxiliaries. Darlene was a member of the Newton YMCA Board of Directors, Theta Chi, and the Newton Country Club. Darlene and Tom enjoyed wintering at their home in the Cayman Islands and made many good friends from both the United States and Canada, over the years. Survivors include her husband of more than 55 years; her daughter, Jane, and her husband, James Kray, of Wheaton, Illinois; her son, James Kiernan, and his wife, Rita, of McHenry, Illinois; five grandchildren, Thomas and Jennifer Kray; and Mallory, Bridget, and Delaney Kiernan; a brother and his wife, Peter and June Vanden Berge, of Orange City; a sister and her husband, Ruth and Frank De Vries, of Orange City; a brother and his wife, James and Judy Vanden Berge, of Traverse City , Michigan; and nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Lloyd Vanden Berge, in World War II, and a sister and her husband, Jean and Richard Hawkins, of LeMars. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, August 26, at 10:30am, at the Alton Presbyterian Church, 311 Twelfth Street, Alton, Iowa 51003. Mr. Ronald Brink, C. L. P., will officiate. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, at 10:00am, at the Nassau Township Cemetery, near Alton. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City. The family suggests that memorials be directed to the Alton Presbyterian Church building fund or to Hospice of Savannah, Post Office Box 13190, Savannah, Georgia 31416.
Source: Oolman Funeral Home obit.