DARLA THOMASON

MANSON — Darla Thomason, 54, of Lake View, formerly of Manson, died Thursday, May 15, 2008, at Black Hawk Life Care Center in Lake View. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Manson with Pastor William Howie officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Larson-Weishaar Funeral Home in Manson. Survivors include her husband Jess; stepchildren Keith (Jill) Thomason and their daughter Abby of Webster City, IA; Chris Thomason, of Charleston, Ill.; Jestun Thomason, of Independence, Mo.; Tonya Thomason, of Charleston, Ill.; brother Harold “Butch” (Avis) Lakin, of Gilmore City and Dale (Dee) Lakin, of Mountain Home, Ark.; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Cheryl Rodenberg; and infant brothers Gerald Dean and Gene Raymond Lakin.

Darla Dee Lakin was born on Oct. 26, 1953, in Fort Dodge, the daughter of Carroll and Ione (Hartig) Lakin. She graduated from Manson High School in 1972, and continued with schooling to become a dietary supervisor. During high school, she worked at the Korner Kupboard Kafe in Manson. Then she was dietary supervisor in Wymore, Neb. for one year, Stratford, IA for two years and from 1991-1999 she was dietary supervisor for Opportunity Living. On Oct. 8,1997, she was united in marriage with Jess Thomason at Manson. She was involved with Direct Care at Opportunity Living until she was forced to retire in 2006 because of her health.