Darla J. Jenness, 72, who had such a beautiful and kind soul, received her wings unexpectedly at home in Sheldon, IA on Thursday, September 18, 2025. The family held a private ceremony and burial at Afton Township Cemetery, rural Cherokee, Iowa on Saturday, September 20th. The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com
Darla Jean Jenness was born on December 28, 1952 at Primghar, IA to Virgil and Evangalene (Johnson) Jenness. She attended Primghar Public School until her family moved in 1965 to Sanborn, IA. She graduated from Sanborn Community School in 1971. She was involved in sports and many activities including, basketball, softball, band, twirler and was a homecoming attendant. She attended University of Iowa after graduation. During college she was a member of the Scottish Highlanders and enjoyed a 6 week tour thru Europe with the group. Darla had a deep rooted passion for education. She was a certified phlebotomist, a certified nursing assistant, medical transcriptionist, studied for radiologic technologist just to name a few. Her knowledge was all inclusive Ð anything and everything.
Darla was employed and managed various businesses in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota. She was caregiver for her mother for several years and was working for Staples Promotional Products in Orange City, IA at the time of her death.
Darla enjoyed reading, music, dancing, movies, true crime shows and most of all time with friends and especially family. She enjoyed traveling with her parents and in 2018 a memorable cruise with her sister.
Left to cherish her memories and devastated by her loss are a sister, Maureen Lee of Mitchell, SD; a brother, Marvin Jenness of Sioux Falls, SD. Nephews and a niece that she loved dearly: Matthew Lee of Carlisle, IA; Melinda (Jeremiah) Schoenherr of Elk Point, SD; and Joshua (Tanya) Lee of Mitchell, SD. Her love embraced the great nephews and nieces; Aden Lee, Kellan Lee, Dyson Lee, Makenzie (Nate Rauch) Schoenherr, Emily Schoenherr, Taydom Schoenherr, Audrey Benson, Addisyn Hagen, Rhett Lee, Cambree Lee, and a great great niece, Demi Rauch. Two maternal aunts; Lorraine Plantz of LeMars, IA, Velma Keats of Blue Springs, Missouri and many cousins.
She will be welcomed in heaven by her parents, Virgil and Evangalene Jenness, brother-in-law, David Lee, her grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.