Patricia Jane Darnold
Born: August 28th, 1925
Died: December 29th, 2017
Obituary
Patricia Jane Darnold, 92, of West Burlington, died at 3:23 AM Friday, December 29, 2017, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born August 28, 1925, in Fort Madison, she was the daughter of Milburn Edward and Clara B. Hageman Lietsch. On November 25, 1948, she married James William Darnold in St. Mary's Catholic Church in West Burlington. He died on January 10, 2015.
She was a 1945 graduate of St. Paul's Catholic High School.
Pat was the first woman hired at CB&Q Railroad, where she worked as an office clerk for six years. It was there she met her future husband. She was a devoted mother and homemaker. Pat and her husband raised nine children together.
She was a devoted member of Divine Mercy Parish, SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church. She loved music and was known for singing at weddings, funerals and in the church choirs. Pat recorded her favorite song, O'Danny Boy, in Chicago, IL on a vinyl record. She enjoyed participating in talent shows while growing up. Pat volunteered as a recess monitor at St. Mary's, Birthright and taught Catholic education classes. She was famous for her fudge pie and her blessings. She was a great communicator for the family and was always encouraging her family with cards and letters.
Survivors include six daughters, Colleen (Samuel) Buckley, Debbie (Butch) Schmeiser, and Maureen (Tony) Richenberger all of Burlington, Mary Joan (Mike) Buechel of West Burlington, Eileen (Frank) Tate of Gladstone, and Rosemary (Randy) Powell of Chattanooga, TN; three sons, James "Jamey" W. (Nancy) Darnold, Jr. of Elburn, IL, David (Jan) Darnold of Randleman, NC, Daniel (Lynn) Darnold of Waverly, IA; 23 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; five sisters, Rosemary Harris and Judith Heap both of West Burlington, Mary Ellen Rincon of Tampa, FL, Michaela "Mickey" Daly and Sheila (Wayne) Drew both of Burlington; one brother, Thomas (Barbara) Lietsch of Burlington; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Milburn "Sonny" Lietsch, Jr., eight sisters, Celine "Sally" Grothe, Therese Francine McLaughlin, Suzanne Carlson, Nancy Inghram, Rita Heckenberg, Sanchia Gahn, Mary Lucia Lietsch, and Gloria (Sr. Mary Lucia, RSM) Lietsch, and one grandson, Jordan Alexander Darnold.
Visitation will be from noon until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends following a 4:00 PM Rosary Service until 7:00 PM Monday, January 1, 2018, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mrs. Darnold will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at Divine Mercy Parish-SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington with Fr. Bill Roush as the Celebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held at St. Mary’s Parish Center following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Divine Mercy Parish, SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington.