Darlene Mccool

Mary Darlene, daughter of John and Sadie (Schwartz) Griffin, was born August 23, 1932, in Guthrie County, Iowa. She passed away January 26, 2022, at Thomas Rest Haven at the age of 89 years, 5 months and 3 days.

Darlene grew up in Carroll and Guthrie Counties where she attended rural schools, up until the second grade when she went to school in Bayard, graduating in 1951. After graduation, Darlene worked at various jobs in the area until March 13, 1954 when she was united in marriage with William Bobbie McCool at the United Methodist Church in Bayard. They farmed on several farms in the Bayard and Coon Rapids areas before settling in 1961 on a farm southeast of Bayard. While she was the consummate farm wife working side-by-side with her husband on the farm, she also worked at several part-time jobs including at the Bayard Care Center, Starling Furniture Store, the Bayard post office and the Guthrie County Conservation Education Center at Springbrook. Darlene was also known for the many wedding cakes she baked and decorated. She did all this while raising four children.

In 1985, they moved into Darlene's family home in Bayard. Here Darlene thoroughly enjoyed coffeeing with the neighbor ladies. She always had coffee and cookies ready for a visit. They stayed here until health issues moved them to Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids. Darlene became a member of the TRH family in June of 2017, where she received excellent care. She will be remembered there for her smile and pleasant disposition. Darlene enjoyed reading, taking rides around the trails on the TRH golf cart; anything chocolate, playing dominoes and Bunco, playing games on her iPad and following her family on Facebook. Her favorite gift and all she ever asked for was to receive pictures of her family. She always wanted updates on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Over the years, Darlene was a member of the United Methodist Church in Bayard and the W.S.C.S. She served as a trustee of the Bayard Public Library; worked the election polls for many years; was a member of the Farm Neighbor "Help You Club"; and was also a 4H leader.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, in 2017; her parents; a sister, Barbara, in infancy; her brother, Lyle Griffin; and a great-grandson, Brently Walker.

Survivors include her children: Don McCool (Rina) of Bayard; Jeff McCool (Gayla) of Bayard; Richard McCool (Billie) of Redfield, SD; and Cheryl Haynes (Chuck) of Council Bluffs. Fourteen grandchildren include: Shana Morrison (Brian); Cathy Freestone (Stacy); Renae Sondgeroth (Brian); Mike Walker (Cassie); Melissa Barrett (Mike); Katie Mason (Ben); Mark McCool (Chelsea); Veronica Pontious (Matt); Justin McCool (Jamie); Jeremy McCool (Jackie); James Girard (Connie); Charity Lombard (David); Kasey Haynes and Kerry LeMay (Kyle); as well as twenty-nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law Janice McCool of Tulsa, OK and a brother-in-law Paul McCool of Guthrie Center.

In Loving Memory Of Darlene McCool

Memorial Service on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Bayard, Iowa

Reverend Carolyn Schwartz, Officiating

Congregational Hymns "It Is Well With My Soul", "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms of Jesus", Lula Garnes, Organist

Interment at Highland Township Cemetery, Bayard, Iowa