Jenny V. Darland

Jenny Darland, 100, of Norwalk and formerly of Oskaloosa, passed away Monday, August 25, 2025, at the Norwalk Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Jenny V. Darland, daughter of Lucas and Effie (Brouwer) VanOoyen, was born November 3, 1924, in Pella, Iowa. Growing up, Jenny attended school in Pella through the 8th grade, before the family moved to Oskaloosa. Jenny graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1942. Jenny & Leo met on Sunday, September 5. After a quick political debate at a coffee counter, Leo decided Jenny would be who he would marry; with his convincing salesman skills and her desire to be matched in wit, they were united in marriage on September 14, 1948, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. After her education, Jenny began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Mahaska County. She taught in many schools and eventually retired from teaching while in North Aurora, Illinois. Jenny was a strong proponent of learning, and furthered her education at Rockford College and later obtained her Master's degree from Northern Illinois University, all while working and keeping a household going. Jenny & Leo, their family, and many, many pets moved from Iowa to Kansas, to Illinois, and back to Iowa. Everywhere they went together, they made friends, supported and volunteered at their church, and grew a beautiful life together. Jenny's family includes her four children, Jay Darland of Norwalk, IA, Jennifer Darland of Indianola, IA, Lyndsy (Jeff Mease) Darland of Norwalk, IA, Matthew (Megan) Darland of West Des Moines, IA, niece Nancy Sammon of Indianola, IA, her grandchild, Sydney, great-grandchildren Alexis, and Sutton Darland, and a sister, June (Leonard) Chase, of Sugar Grove, Illinois. Jenny was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leo Darland on July 23, 2008, her three brothers, John, Luke, and Pete VanOoyen, and three of her sisters, Eva Schippers, Gertrude Kauffman, and Elizabeth Sammon. The family will be having a private service. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to your local library or animal rescue provider.