Delna McClarnon Blessing

Funeral services for Delna Blessing, age 99 of Clarinda, Iowa, who died Friday, March 21, 2008 at Goldenrod Manor, Clarinda, Iowa, will be held Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hillside Missionary Church with Pastor Brian Bontrager and Pastor Bob Thompson officiating.

Visitation with the family was held 7-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 25 at the church. Burial to be in the Butler Cemetery, Shambaugh, Iowa. Memorials can be directed to the Hillside Missionary Church. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on our web page, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Service of Clarinda, Iowa.

Delna McClarnon Blessing, 99 of Goldenrod Manor, Clarinda, went to her eternal home Thursday, March 20, 2008. She was born to Lincoln and Bertha (Scofield) Patton on March 2, 1909 in Phillips County, Kansas, the 10th of 11 children. She is the last of her family, who lost everything in a tornado in June of 1908, and lived temporarily in a dugout at the time of her birth.

She came to Iowa in 1924 where she made her home with her sister Nanny and Joe Myers, who were pastoring the Mennonite church in Shambaugh. She was always close to the Myers family.

In 1925 she married Vern McClarnon and they had an oil station in Shambaugh 36 years. She wrote local news for the Clarinda Herald-Journal for 52 years. She was agent for the Continental Bus Service. Delna enjoyed doing volunteer work at the museum and was a member of "Club" many years.

Delna was also a loving other mother to Vern's niece Norma, who lived with them until she finished High School, and after Norma married, to her family. She never had children of her own but loved babies and lovingly cared for many children in her home. She said she liked to have baby clothes in the washing.

After Vern died she was alone for several years until Willard Blessing, a former neighbor came calling. He had three married daughters, who all approved of the match. They were married in 1988 and had six wonderful years together before he passed away. She was close to Willard's three girls and their families.

Over the years Delna has been a faithful member of the Mennonite and Missionary churches. Her expression of her faith has been in her consistent walk with the Lord. She loved the Bible and her Savior and was known for her kindness and caring.

She leaves to mourn her passing a host of nephews and nieces, and being from a family of 11 children, countless relatives to the 5th generation. She also leaves her friends in the community and the church. She received loving, consistent care at Goldenrod Manor. She was much loved and will be greatly missed.

May God grant comfort and strength to those who mourn her passing.