Darlene Ferris

June 22, 1928 - May 25, 2026

Service: Friday, May 29, 10 a.m., Blair Congregational Church. Burial: Friday, 1:30 p.m., Little Sioux Cemetery, Iowa. Visitation: Thursday, 6 to 8 p.m., Campbell Aman Funeral Home, 444 S. 17th Street, Blair, Nebraska.

#2 From obituary printed in the June 2, 2026 Enterprise

(photo)

Darlene Ferris, 97 of Blair

Darlene Bernice (Black) Ferris, age 97, long time resident of Blair, Nebraska, was born in rural Blencoe, Iowa, to Homer and Lucille (Hime) Black on June 22, 1928, and passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026, in Fremont, Nebraska, with her family beside her.

Darlene accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior in her early teenage years in Onawa, Iowa, as a member of the First Congregational Church. She graduated from Onawa High School (West Monona High School) in 1945.

After high school graduation, Darlene attended Commercial Business School in Omaha, Nebraska. Darlene moved back to Onawa and was working at the Monona County Treasurer’s Office when she met her future husband, Edward Ferris, at the local bowling alley in Onawa. Ed and Darlene were united in marriage in Onawa, Iowa, on January 4, 1948, and to this union five children were born.

Darlene always gave the highest priority and consideration to being a great wife and friend for her husband, raising their five children in a supportive, nurturing environment and providing a loving, warm home for all family members and friends. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was never too busy to take a phone call or just sit and chat while enjoying a cup of coffee.

In addition to being a housewife and mother, Darlene worked at Safeway Stores in Onawa, Iowa, and Blair, Nebraska, and at the Blair West Pharmacy for twenty-four and a half years. She truly enjoyed serving the public while meeting, greeting and assisting customers. Darlene served in many organizations through her life to support local school activities, Church activities including the annual spaghetti dinners, volunteered at the Local Food Pantry, and supported the American Red Cross as a frequent blood donor.

In retirement Ed and Darlene loved to participate in Church services at United Church of Christ in Blair, Nebraska, travel, spend time with family, go fishing, enjoy grandchildren, dance, listen to country music, tend to their roses and other flowers, bake delicious desserts, have family dinners and birthday parties and take short drives around the local areas. Favorite spots were Desoto Bend and the Loess Hills of Iowa.

All those who knew Darlene will remember she enjoyed life to the fullest each day with a smile for everyone and she “danced while she could.”

Darlene is survived by four children: Linda (Jim) Jensen, of Herman, Nebraska; Jerry (Pam) Ferris of Palmer, Alaska; Jolene Ferris of Little Sioux, Iowa; Deacon Kent Ferris O.F.S. (Lori) Ferris O.F.S. of Muscatine, Iowa; eleven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren; nephew “sons” David and Danny Mathison; and many other loving extended family and friends.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings and their spouses: Bob (Mavis) Black, Gene Black, Betty (Lee) Hileman, Donna (Ralph) Wickersham, Ed Black, Don Black, Dick (Mary Jo) Black; her husband of 70 years, Edward Lee Ferris and her son, Bradley Edward Ferris.

Service of Remembrance will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2026, at the United Church of Christ First Congregational Church at 16th and Colfax Street in Blair, Nebraska with luncheon to follow.

Visitation will be held the evening of Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Campbell Aman Funeral Home at 444 South 17th Street in Blair, Nebraska

Graveside services and burial will take place at the Little Sioux, Iowa, Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026.

For those who wish to remember Darlene with memorials we encourage you to direct gifts in her memory to United Church of Christ First Congregational in Blair, Blair Volunteer Fire Department, Blair Community Hospital or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements handled by Campbell Aman Funeral Home 444 S. 17th Street, Blair, Nebraska, 68008

~~~from obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Nebraska Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library at Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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