Darlys Mennenga

Darlys Mennenga was born April 4th, 1931, to Lavern J. and Adella W. (Wehling) Schmidt on a farm south of Tripoli, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peters Evangelical and Reformed Church (now Faith United Church of Christ), Tripoli. Darlys started her education at a country school and graduated from Tripoli High School in 1949.

On October 29, 1950, Darlys was united in marriage with Freddie Ulrichs at St. Peters Evangelical and Reformed Church in Tripoli. They made their home in Clarksville. He died August 6, 1966. She married Richard Mennenga on March 10, 1973, at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Clarksville and then moved to the farm south of Clarksville. In 1990 they remodeled the home that she had lived in and moved to town. After enjoying their home there for 21 years they decided to buy the condo and moved there in July of 2011. Richard died February 10, 2013.

Before her first marriage, Darlys worked at Lutheran Mutual (now Cuna) and then worked at Tripoli Mercantile while Freddie was in the service. In 1962 she started working for the Iowa State Bank in Clarksville and worked there for 17 years.

Darlys had been a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Clarksville since 1954, having served on church council and President of Women’s Fellowship. Darlys had been a member of many community organizations over the years, serving either as chairman, secretary or treasurer on all of them. She was a lifetime member of the Clarksville AMVETS Auxiliary, serving as treasurer until 2019. She was a Chairman of Butler County American Cancer Society (ACS) Board of Directors; her passion was the ACS Butler County Relay for Life. She was also a member of the Friendly Neighbor Club and a Birthday Club.

Some of the things Darlys enjoyed over the years were going to antique shows with Richard, collecting Pink Depression glass, anything strawberry, and her love of Christmas treetops. She also enjoyed refinishing furniture. Most of all, she cherished the visits and calls from her children and grandchildren.  

On Friday, May 31, 2024, Darlys died peacefully surrounded by family at the Waverly Health Center in Waverly, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Freddie of 16 years and Richard of 40 years; her parents and in-laws; siblings-in-law, Elizabeth (Barney) Bales, Jean (Richard) Folkerts, Hinderene (Leslie) Van Raden, Paulene (Ernest) Meyer, Harold Heeren, H.J. Bud Mennenga, Albert Ulrichs, Norma (Dale) Kratchmer, and Doris Milius.

Darlys is survived by her son, Steve (Christine) Ulrichs of Georgetown, TX; two daughters, Jacqueline Barnes of Fort Collins, CO and Deanne (Robert) Miller of Maple City, MI; four grandchildren, Scott (Erika) Ulrichs, Stephanie (Argus) Cunningham, Wyatt Barnes (Tara Muller) and Nathan Miller; three great grandchildren, Miranda Ulrichs, Bayla Cunningham, and Brynn Cunningham; one brother, Gary (Melva) Schmidt of Norwalk, IA; one brother-in-law, Orlyn Milius of Tripoli; two sisters-in-law, Marlene Mennenga of Clarksville and Marie Heeren of Bristow, IA.

A Funeral Service was held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Clarksville. Pastor Jim Brown officiated the service. Organist Sharon Leerhoff accompanied the Dix Family in singing, “Here I am Lord” and “Precious Lord Take My Hand”. Tom Pliner sang “Hymn of Promise”. Burial was held in the Lynwood Cemetery in Clarksville with Michael Dix, Will Dix, Brayden Klunder, Blake Rottink, Bill Dix, Alan Leerhoff, and Conner Freerks serving as Casket Bearers. Darlys’ grandchildren: Scott Ulrichs, Wyatt Barnes, Nathan Miller, and Stephanie Cunningham served as honorary casket bearers.

A Visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, at the Redman Funeral & Cremation Services – Clarksville Funeral Home and one hour before services at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Butler County Relay for Life and Immanuel United Church of Christ. Online condolences may be left at www.redmanfuneral.com.