Darlene Vergene Layland, the daughter of Nels Otto and Inez Imogene (Ohde) Nelson, was born November 7, 1928, in Carroll, Iowa, and died November 21, 2023, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 95 years and 14 days.
Darlene was baptized at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, Iowa, and confirmed at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. She attended school at Exira, graduating with the Class of 1946. Following graduation, Darlene taught in a rural school for a short time.
On January 24, 1948, she was united in marriage to Franklin Layland at the First Presbyterian Church in Council Bluffs. They were blessed with two children Charles and Franklin Jr. Darlene was employed at various jobs around Exira doing café work and helping on the farm.
Darlene was an active member of the Exira Lutheran Church and served on the church council and other committees. She was a member of the Greeley Homemaker’s Club and the Exira Care Center Auxiliary. Darlene enjoyed growing flowers, quilting, and reading.
Preceding her in death were her husband Franklin; her son Franklin Layland Jr., her parents; and her daughter-in-law Sandra Layland.
Survivors include her son Charles Layland of Williamsburg, Iowa, and her grandsons Drew Layland and Jaycee Layland both of Williamsburg, Iowa and her step-grandson Shawn and wife Melissa Mundell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and step-great-grandchildren Hannah and Luke Mundell; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The Celebration of Life Memorial services will be conducted by Pastor Kelley Pedersen on Saturday afternoon, December 9, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. A private inurnment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira, Iowa at a later date.
