The Life of JEAN B DARR
Jean (Halverson) Darr was born on September 3, 1925 to Norwegian immigrants John and Bertha Halverson. Jean was raised in Eagle Grove, Iowa. She moved to Des Moines in September 1943 to attend the American Institute of Business (AIB).
After graduating from college, she worked at Board of Control for two years. April 11, 1949 she started with the Max Holmes Agency as a secretary, which is now known as Holmes Murphy & Associates. She married Robert E. Darr on September 2, 1950. In 1989, Jean retired after 40 years of service with Holmes Murphy as a corporate executive secretary.
Jean was involved in many organizations throughout her life. She was an active member of the Highland Park Christian church, serving on the church Scholarship Committee, Memorial Committee, and Chairman of the Deacons. She belonged to the Daughters of the Nile, AACA of America, AACA of Des Moines, Grand View Women’s Golf League, Force One Insurance, Nobelles-Shrine Widows Club, Za-Ga-Zig Ladies Hospitality Auxiliary, Central Iowa Model A Club, and Executive Women’s International. She also devoted time to Hospice of Central Iowa and loved attending car club and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine events with her husband. Jean was also very proud of her Norwegian heritage.
Her interests and hobbies included family, golfing, reading and watching sporting events. Jean was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes. Jean was often noted for ranking high in her NCAA pools and loved filling out her bracket sheets.
Mrs. Darr is survived by her son, Russ (Connie) Darr; step-daughter, Alice (Jim) Underfer; sister, Ardi Watrous of Colorado; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; and brothers, Harold (Pauline), Salmer (Clara), and Clarence (Mary).
A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, October 20, 2011, followed by a 7 p.m. funeral service at Highland Park Christian Church, 4260 NW 6th Drive, Des Moines. A private graveside service will be Friday, October 21, at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be given to the Highland Park Christian Church.