Madeline "Kay" Darnell

     Madeline Kay Darnell, the daughter of Leo and Carol (Churchill) Hickman, was born on December 11, 1943 in Winnebago, NE. She received her early education attending grade school in Jackson, NE and finished and graduated from Bronson High School in Bronson, IA. After high school, she was an accounts payable clerk for an automotive business in Sioux City.

     On January 13, 1963, Kay married Richard Hutchinson in South Sioux City, NE. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Sioux City, where she continued to work as a clerk before becoming a homemaker and raising there 2 children. In 1969, Kay lost her husband and two children: Cliff and Keith  to a house fire. In 1971, she went work for and answering service until 1980.

     Kay married Dale Darnell on August 14, 1980, in Denver CO. The couple lived in Spencer where they owned and operated Darnell Studio until her retirement in 1991. She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer. When she was active,  she was a member of the UMW, Chancel Choir, Praise Team, Ruth Circle and Women’s Bible Study. She was also involved in “Park Art” and was instrumental in building “The Gathering” in East Leach Park. Kay enjoyed reading and playing games on her computer.

     She passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at her residence. She was preceded in death by her parents; her 2 husbands; her 2 children; her sisters: Cecil Pannell, Patricia Darnell and Carol Haga; her brother, Kenneth Hickman; stepsons: Marvin, Ronald and Jerry Darnell.

     Left to cherish her memory are her stepchildren: Fawn Mefferd (Steve) of Mitchellville, IA and Jeff Darnell (Melanie) of Spencer, IA; 17 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; 3 sisters: Mary Louise Cooley of Lincoln, NE, Denise Nurse (Dennis) of Hartley, IA and Jean Brewer (Bob) of Ponca, NE; her brother, Dennis Hickman of Marshalltown, IA; her step daughter-in-law, Betty Darnell of Sheldon, IA; her sister-in-law, Ellen Hickman of Stratford, TX; other relatives and friends.

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