Darlene Bear

Darlene Mae Bear, daughter of Floyd Orland and Nova Edna (Baker) Giles, was born Aug. 20, 1938, in Union County. Darlene graduated from Tingley High School in 1956. Darlene passed away peacefully Jan. 22, 2021, at Mount Ayr Health Care Center.

Open visitation will be held at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, at the funeral home with burial to follow in Tingley Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established in her name to be decided later.

On Aug. 10, 1956, Darlene was united in marriage to Donald Gene Bear in the Lamoni United Methodist Church. Darlene stayed home and raised the children while Don served in the U.S. Air Force. They lived in various cities around the United States and also in Japan.

After Don retired, they moved back to Ringgold County. Darlene worked at LaVel’s Dress Shop in Mount Ayr, Van Gelder’s Clothing in Creston, helped assemble fruit baskets at Hy-Vee and sold Home Interiors decor.

Darlene was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and friend.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, granddaughter Kimberly Bear and brother LeRoy Giles.

Those left to cherish and share her memories include her sister, Doris Jean Dufty of Colorado; three children: Jacque (Art) Davis of Nebraska, Dan Bear of California and Jodi Angus of Iowa; 10 grandchildren and spouses: Andy (Tonya) Davis, Matt (Jessica) Davis, Ben (Angela) Davis, Amber (Rob) Mitchell, Katie Bear, Kristy Bear, Kassidy Bear, Lucas (Amanda) Angus, Jennifer (Amie) Angus and Austin Angus; eight and counting great-grandchildren: Logan Mitchell, Lewis Angus, Brooklyn Angus, Esme Angus, Cooper Davis, Jerod Angus, Kiara Angus and Gerron Angus; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.