In Memory of Darlene Bengford

Darlene Bengford, age 91, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at the St. Martin Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the St. Martin Catholic Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 4:45 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., on Monday, March 27, 2023, at the St. Martin Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Memorials in honor of Darlene may be directed to the Odebolt Community Center at PO Box 279 Odebolt, IA 51458.

Darlene Marie Heires Bengford, age 91, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023, surrounded by her loving family after a brief illness. 

Born on December 12, 1931, to William and Marie (Brune) Heires, Darlene grew up on a farm and attended St. Bernard's Catholic School in Breda, Iowa.

On April 14, 1953, Darlene married the love of her life Donald Paul Bengford of Odebolt in the St. Bernard's Catholic Church of Breda by Father Frank Brady. They made their home in Odebolt, lived in Fort Collins, Colorado, for a few years, and then returned to Odebolt for the duration of their lives. The couple were blessed with eight children: Renee, Jeanette, Ann, Leah, Mitch, Rose, Tony, and Todd. 

Darlene was a business owner of a dress shop in Odebolt called "The Boutique" and later in life worked at the Odebolt Public Library. She loved to read and was an avid player of games to include Pitch, Scrabble, Yahtzee, and crossword puzzles. Affectionately known as “Grandma Don” or “candy grandma” by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Darlene treasured every moment spent with her family. Her favorite spot was the front porch where she hosted many "porch parties".   

Survivors include her children Renee (John) Hanson of Cushing, IA, Jeanette (John Grote) Fertig of Arcadia, IA, son-in-law Patrick Hoefling of Odebolt, IA, Leah (Robert) Fineran of Ida Grove, IA, Mitch (Lois) Bengford of Odebolt, IA, Rose (David) Schultz of Odebolt, IA, Tony (Andrea) Bengford of Sioux City, IA and Todd (Angie) Bengford of Odebolt, IA; 27 grandchildren and their significant others; 61 great-grandchildren and 2 great great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Dorothy (Jim) Barkley of Chicago, IL, Mary Van Scoy of Council Bluffs, IA, Darlene Bengford of Fort Collins, CO and Malinda Bengford of Sioux City, IA; and brother-in-law Francis (Sandy) Bengford of Greeley, CO. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Donald Bengford; daughter Ann Bengford Hoefling; great-granddaughter Kimber Hanson; siblings and their spouses Irvin (Agnes) Heires, Herman (Ann) Heires, and Marge (Ed) Pietig. She was also preceded in death by her brother-in-law and his wife Leonard and JoAnn Bengford; sister-in-law and husband Juanita and Don Ahrenholtz; brother-in-law and wife Gerald and Ruth Bengford; brothers-in-law Jim Van Scoy, Paul Bengford, and Denny Bengford; as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Memorials in honor of Darlene can be direct to Odebolt Community Center, 116 E 2^nd Street, P.O. Box 279, Odebolt, Iowa, 51458.