"Darla came to Charles City High School shortly before I retired. As a fellow teacher, I know that Darla was intelligent, honest, and sensitive and caring. She was so proud of her nieces and nephews as well. Sorry to hear of her passing. Barb Fricke"
In loving memory of
Darla Arends
October 31, 1962 - November 6, 2020
Darla Joyce Arends, 58, of Charles City, Iowa passed away on Friday, November 6, 2020 at MercyOne in Mason City, Iowa. Visitation will be at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Her funeral service will be on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 2:30 P.M. at the Zearing Christian Church in Zearing with Pastor Adam Koester officiating. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Township Cemetery in Zearing, Iowa.
Darla was born on October 31, 1962 in Iowa City, Iowa to Jake and Maryilyn (Groenewald) Arends. When she was 3 her family moved to Zearing where she attended school. She graduated with the NESCO class of 1983. Darla went to the University of Iowa where she earned her bachelor's degree and master's degree. After college she began working as a teacher and worked at Marshalltown High School, Forest City High School, and for the last 20 years worked at Charles City High School as their special educational instructor. Darla was a woman of great faith and often filled in at churches and gave sermons. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Kapa. Darla loved her family and to spend time with them, most especially Jason and her nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed flowers, gardening, baking, crafts, her "babies" cats Grace and Whiskers, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Those left to cherish her memory are her siblings Jay (Becky) Arends, Wanda Arends, Carl (Charlotte) Arends, Dale Arends, and Neil Arends; nieces and nephews Jacob (Amber) Arends, Brad (Maggie) Arends, Andrew (Paige) Arends, Justin Mathis, Toni Mathis, Jamie Probstfield, Shannon Price, and Shawn Probstfield, Ashley Arends, and Whitney (Tyler Zimmerman) Arends; 15 great-nieces and nephews; and many close colleagues and friends.
Darla was preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care has been entrusted with the care of Darla and her family.
Tributes
"Sad to hear about her passing. She was a wonderful person. It was nice getting to know her as we get older and she was still her sweet self. Love you Darla will see you again"
"My son had her for a teacher for 4 years, she was truly a great asset to him. What a wonderful person and teacher. Rest easy my friend."
"I was Darla?s school counselor from 1978 through her senior year in 1983. What I remember most is that her physical disabilities never kept her from being a regular student. She traveled throughout a three-story school building every day, moving along with her two aluminum canes, never complaining, always with a positive attitude. I remember her at school dances enjoying her self as she danced away balancing on her two canes. She was someone I described as an inspiration when I spoke to a large group of assembled students in another high school. The fact that she went on to her masters degree, and educate so many students in her lifetime is indeed an incredible tribute to the person she always was. She made a difference in so many peoples? lives, including my own. Mark Hanna"
"My deepest sympathy to Darla and her family. My three years as High School Principal at Charles City allowed me to see first hand what a special person she was. She had such a big heart working with students with special needs and always wanted what was best for them. It takes a special person to work with these kids and she always treated them with dignity and compassion. Prayers for Darla and her family at this time and knowing that she is now at peace in a much better place - Ned Sellers"
"I am sending my deepest condolences to Darla's family. I and my children were so blessed to have had her in our lives. I and my children were members of the 1st Christian Church in Charles City. After moving we would always come home for holidays and see Darla and our church family. She was considered family."
"Darla was a caring, strong, giving, and stubborn person. She was always ready to lend a helping hand to her students. She was one of the best educators I have ever known. Rest in peace dear lady."
"A woman with the heart as big as space. Thank you for everything you did for Jason throughout the years. Jason's family is so thankful for all you gave of your heart to help him. You will truly be missed. Rest in Peace Darla."
"I'm a student in 6th grade and i wanna say she was a lovely person and this was meant for her she will be in Heaven and feel all better."
"I remember Darla as a child, she was my second or third cousin, I lost count. She was a beautiful strong young girl. I got to reconnect with Darla a three or four years ago at the Groenewald reunion. I was not surprised to learn that Darla had gone on to earn a Masters degree and had become a teacher. I always thought that anything Darla set her mind to was accomplished. She was a sweet loving and faithful woman who I know will receive many blessings in heaven."
"Thoughts and prayers are with you all she truly was a great lady "
"Rest in Peace Darla. You were an amazing, strong woman with so much love and life. You will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the Arends Family."
"What a beautiful light you were in this world. You touched so many lives and accomplished so much! You will be missed by so many! Go rest high on that mountain you beautiful soul "
"Rest In Peace Darla you will be missed!"
"Rest In Peace Darla. You were a wonderful teacher and such a good person. Your students, friends and family will miss you dearly."
"My name is Kellie McWilliams, I'm a senior at Charles City High School and Mrs. Arends was my teacher. Mrs. Arends was a sweet person who was always very patient with me and I'm going to miss her very, very much. My sincerest condolences to the family. Rest in heaven Mrs. Arends. I will always remember you, Kellie"