Marcella 'Sally' Darling

Sally was born January 26, 1923 in Alton, Iowa the daughter of Martin and Bertha (Van Zandbergen) Dykstra. She grew up in Alton and graduated as valedictorian of the Alton High School class of 1940. Sally later attended Drake University, where she met Gordon K. Darling. She married Gordon on August 30, 1947 at the Presbyterian Church in Alton, and to this union two sons were born, Chip and Eric. Sally is survived by her two sons, Gordon 'Chip' Darling, Jr. and wife, Deb of Winterset, and Eric Darling and wife, Ellie of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; five grandchildren, Trevor, Lindsay, Nathan, Will and Kate; and a sister, Sylva Kiernan of Alton. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and two sisters, Margaret Newendorp and Penny Shoemaker. During World War II Sally served in the United States Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). This service to country was something Sally was very proud of and she often took pleasure in noting that she outranked her husband. Following Gordon's graduation from the Drake University Law School in 1950, the Darlings moved to Winterset, where they have lived since. Sally was a dedicated mother and homemaker, spending a majority of her time raising her sons. She was also an exceptional secretary, a skill she learned during her wartime service. For several years she worked as a secretary for the Winterset High School and later for the Winterset High School Library. She was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Winterset, where she participated in many church activities. She was also a member of the American Legion and of Thursday Guild, and also served as a board member of the Madison County Hospital. For many years she participated in the Lion's Show, singing in a trio, as well as being involved with many other community activities and events. Burial: Winterset Cemetery, Winterset, Iowa, with military honors preformed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8142 & American Legion Post 184. Visitation: 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, with family present to receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. February 25, 2010 at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare, Winterset, Iowa. Service: 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 26, 2010 at First United Presbyterian Church, Winteset, Iowa. Memorial: Memorials may be directed to Middle River Hospice and the First United Presbyterian Church.