Irene Josephine Darnall

Irene J. Darnall, 91, of Lexington died Thursday, July 28, 2011, at the Tri-County Hospital in Lexington, Nebraska. Mrs. Darnall was born March 19, 1920 in Ashton, Nebraska, to Cashmere and Nellie Radke. Irene grew up in Ashton where she attended school, then lived in Grand Island, Nebraska where she worked as a nanny. There she met her husband Valentine “Buck” Danfield. They were married April 25, 1940, at Cambridge, Nebraska. Buck preceded her in death. They moved to Eustis in 1943, where she made her home and raised her six children. Many enjoyed her delicious cooking; she was the chef of the Eustis High School for thirteen years, cooked for the Lions Club and also for congregate meals at East Lawn in Lexington. She then married Wilber Darnall on July 27, 1968, at Curtis, Nebraska. Wilber also preceded her in death. Irene was president for a time of NABA of Eustis, a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, the Altar Society, and the Up and Coming Club of Eustis. She later moved to Lexington in 1976. She enjoyed her hobby of making Raggedy Ann dolls, making over 350 dolls that her children and grandchildren enjoyed, and others could purchase. Survivors of the immediate family include a sister, Rosemary Kowalski of Loup City; five daughters, Mary Louise Danfield of Kapoho, Hawaii; Marjorie Travis and husband Ron of Omaha; Valjean Embrey of Valley, Nebraska; Betty Werth of South Bend, Nebraska; Romona Lillich of Atwood, Kansas; and son, Ron Danfield and wife Polly of Mission Viejo, California; step-children, Dale and wife Janice Darnall of Eustis; Nebraska; Clark and wife Jean Darnall of Glasco, Kansas; and Bonnie and husband Nick Casper of Lexington; 14 grandchildren, 16 step-grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and many great-great grandchildren. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 45 years Valentine “Buck” Danfield; husband of 20 years, Wilber Darnall; dear friend Ralph Johnson; brothers, Joseph, Richard, Paul Radke, and Ted Radke; sister, Marie Bogacz; stepchildren, Glenn and Bill Darnall; granddaughter, Jennifer Andrade, and two infant granddaughters, Carla Lee and Jill Rae Lillich. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, August 1, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Reverend Paul Colling officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. that same afternoon at the Eustis West Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 31, 2011, from 4-6 p.m. with Rosary to follow at 6:00 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the St. Ann’s Catholic Church Memorial Fund. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please direct online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.