Darlene Ann Kern (age 94 years, 10 months, and 11 days) of Shelby, Iowa, died at Unity Point Hospice Taylor House in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 29, 2023.
She was born to Johanna and August Dohrmann but became adopted by Ferdinand and Bertha (Noehren) Hein at 5½ weeks. She married Kenneth Charles Kern on September 1, 1946 becoming an involved farmer’s wife.
When she was going to Elementary School she found out she was adopted; she was heartbroken and ran out to a wooded area by her house. Butterflies surrounded her giving her extreme comfort strengthening her faith (she’s been known as the Butterfly Lady since then).
In her younger years she taught herself to play the piano. She was very active at her church being a teacher for Bible School, Sunday School and much later a confirmation teacher. She was active with Ladies Aide, Band mothers, on the Centennial Committee and deeply involved with each of her children’s Education. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #441 of Council Bluffs for over 50 years. She was the Sentinel and was elected into many stations all the way up to Worthy Matron. She took training to become a Certified Lay Speaker filling in for pastors around Western Iowa. She was accepted and loved everywhere she preached gaining many new close friends.
After becoming a member of Salem Methodist Church in Council Bluffs she worked as visiting director. At an Iowa Annual Church Conference she was given the job of door knocker in Carter Lake being instrumental in starting a new Methodist church there. She retired when her husband died. She then wrote a book “Stones of Remembrance” (I Samuel 7:12). It was written to show the stamina, optimism and the trust in God that prevailed over hard hard times.
In her spare time she was very creative with yarn – making Christmas ornaments every year for each of us kids and her grandkids. She created and designed Kleenex box covers, crosses and many unique gifts.
In her home she had a “Jesus Tree” up year round. Everything on it was a symbol devoted to God.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, adopted parents, husband, two sisters and a brother. She is survived by her children Kathryn and Douglas Pierce of Norwalk, Iowa, Stanley and Cathy Kern of Shelby, Iowa, Vicki and Michael Mueller of Silverthorne, Colorado, and Connie and Craig Darrington of Neola, Iowa; nine grandkids and 19 great-grandkids; one brother Glen Dohrmann and wife Betty of Cedarburg, Wisconsin; and many other relatives and friends.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 11:00AM at the Salem United Methodist Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with Pastor Jason Larson officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00AM till 11:00AM on Wednesday August 2, 2023 at the Salem United Methodist Church. Serving as musician was Traci Piper. Casket bearers were Darlene’s nine grandkids: Brian Smith, Jason Smith, Lisa Clay, Todd Pierce, Traci Piper, Kevin Kern, Ben Mueller, Mackenzie Daniel, and Melissa Johnson. The Order of the Eastern Star funeral rites were conducted by the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #441, Council Bluffs. Burial in the Shelby Cemetery, Shelby, Iowa at 3PM. Memorials may be directed to Salem United Methodist Church, 14955 Somerset Avenue, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home, Inc., Shelby, Iowa, assisted the family with arrangements.
