Darlene Verlee Buttolph

Darlene Verlee (Hollingsworth) Buttolph, 97, of Bennett, Iowa, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Clarence Nursing Home in Clarence, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Fry Funeral Home in Tipton. A graveside service will immediately follow at Inland Cemetery in Bennett.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

Darlene was born July 12, 1928, in Washington Township, Des Moines County, Iowa, the daughter of Cleo Emerson and Mildred Elizabeth (McFarland) Hollingsworth. She grew up alongside her three sisters, Marcile, Jean and Beverly. Following her graduation from Yarmouth High School in 1946, Darlene attended AIC in Davenport, Iowa, for one year.

On September 5, 1947, Darlene was united in marriage to Merland Eugene Buttolph at the “Little Brown Church in the Vale” in Nashua, Iowa. Together they shared 63 years of marriage before Merland's passing on March 24, 2011. They made their home in the Bennett and Lowden area, where they raised their family of three children: daughters Mary and Sherry, and son Richard.

Darlene worked for Horstman's Grocery for several years before beginning her career with Bennett State Bank, later known as Liberty Trust & Savings Bank. She retired as a vice president following many dedicated years of service.

Faith, family and community were all important parts of Darlene's life. She was a member of Peace Church of Christ United in Bennett, the Bennett American Legion Auxiliary since 1957, the Bennett Community Club, the 3/30 Golf Club in Lowden, and the East Valley Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War in Mesa, Arizona.

Darlene enjoyed playing basketball during her school years and later enjoyed playing bridge, boating, fishing, camping, crafting and golfing. She and Merland especially treasured family vacations to the Lake of the Ozarks, as well as trips to Germany, England and Alaska. Following retirement, they enjoyed spending time at their second home in Mesa, Arizona.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughters, Mary (Bobbie) Campbell of Lowden, Iowa, and Sherry (Gary) Bentrott of Bennett, Iowa; eight grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren, with another expected soon; sisters, Beverly Tucker of Somerset, Florida, and Jean Williams of Albuquerque, New Mexico; brother-in-law, Charles Tucker of Somerset, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Merland; son, Richard Buttolph; granddaughter, Dawn Bentrott; sister, Marcile Roggensack; brothers-in-law, Tom Roggensack, Jack Williams, George Long and Leon Jenks; and sisters-in-law, Betty Long and Virginia Jenks.