John Darnell 1948 - 2021

DARNELL, HOSKINS, MAGNUSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 2/11/2021 at 10:18:48

Sioux City Journal
17 January 2021

John Darnell

Sioux City

John Darnell, 72, of Sioux City, passed away Jan. 12, 2021, after a brief battle with cancer.

A "Celebration of Life" will be held on Oct. 2. Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

John was born on Oct. 3, 1948, in Osceola, Iowa, to Lowell and JoAnne (Hoskins) Darnell. He graduated from Ames High School in 1966 and went on to attend Boone Junior College. During high school, John started working for his father at the West Ames Hy-Vee, often given the job of sorting potatoes and helping to unload trucks full of watermelons.

On March 6, 1968, John enlisted in the United States Navy until he was honorably discharged in December 1971. During his time with the Navy, he was stationed in Guam flying reconnaissance missions over Vietnam as an Aviation Electronics Technician. He received various medals for his service.

On Nov. 18, 1972, he was united in marriage to Jean Magnuson at Ellsworth, Iowa. They were blessed with two children, Mindy and Matthew.

After his discharge from the Navy, John resumed working at Hy-Vee, working as a store swingman in Fairfield, Iowa, for two and one-half years, working his way up to second assistant manager and later became the assistant manager in Charles City, Iowa. In 1980, he started his managerial career in Sioux Center. In 1981, he became the Store Director of the Marshall, Minn. store. In 1983, he became the Store Director of Sioux City No. 2 where he worked until his retirement in 2002 after 37 years of service.

During his time with Hy-Vee, he served on the Hy-Vee Board of Directors, was voted Store Director of the Year for the Cherokee Division, as well as Boss of the Year.

Quotes from some who elected him are as follows, "John represents everything that is good about Hy-Vee," "John has always been a manager you wanted to work for," "John is fair, honest and always clear about what he expects of you," "John's character, attitude and professionalism are always evident." An employee that went on to be a Director of his own store quoted him to have often said, "Run it like you own it." He said that "John was a joy to work for." John truly was the epitome of a "Helpful Smile in Every Aisle."

John was a community leader and was very well-respected and admired.

John loved spending time with his grandchildren, never missing a chance to golf on Tuesdays and Thursdays with his buddies, and boating in Okoboji. He was an avid Iowa State sports fan.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Jean; daughter, Mindy (John) Stevens of Sioux City; grandchildren, Jack, Gus and Hazel; sister, Jennifer Groat of Ames, Iowa; brother, Marty (Julie) Darnell of Ames; father-in-law, Kenneth Magnuson of Story City, Iowa; brother-in-law, Marvin Wright of Ellsworth, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his son, Matthew Darnell; his parents, Lowell and JoAnne Darnell; brother-in-law, Gary Groat; mother-in-law, Myra Magnuson; and sister-in-law, Jill Wright.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Sunnybrook Church to Support the Hope Center Ministry, The Carmelite Nuns, or directed to the family for a memorial at Whispering Creek Golf Club.