Darlene Marie Trousdale

June 3, 1931 - July 22, 2014

Darlene “Dar” Marie Trousdale, 83, formerly of Rockwell, IA died on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.fullertonfh.com. A visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Friday, July 25, 2014 at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St SE, Mason City. A family graveside service will be held 10:00 am at Rockwell Cemetery on Saturday, July 26, 2014 with Reverend Travis Stevick of Rockwell United Methodist Church officiating. Darlene was born on June 3, 1931 in Hampton, IA to Wilton and Lois Benson. At the age of 9, she was discovered singing in a record shop in Mason City and was the beginning of her singing career. Singing was her lifelong passion. Darlene traveled and sang with the big bands in the 1930’s and 40’s including the Chuck Hazelton Orchestra and the Ray Pearl Orchestra. She was proud of the fact she sang at the Surf Ballroom the night it reopened following a fire. Her photo is still on the wall of Surf performers. In later years, she continued to sing with local bands, the Original’s and the Neptune’s. On December 4, 1954 she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Merle Trousdale. To this union three children were born. Together they resided for most of their lives in Rockwell but also spent 14 years in Osage, IA and after Merle died in 2005 Darlene moved to Mason City. While in Rockwell, Darlene operated her own beauty shop and she and Merle owned a wood working business, Ideas in Wood. In her free time, she liked crafts, going to the casino and the family poker parties. In her later years, she spent many quiet hours reading and watching movies with family. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Rockwell and helped with many things through the church. Darlene will be remembered as a fun and loving person. She was a caregiver to anyone that needed her; especially her family. Darlene was “the glue that held everyone together.” Her sense of humor, sarcasm, and spunky personality will be greatly missed. Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Kandice M. (Karl) Nedved of Mason City, William E. (Sharon) Trousdale of Mason City, Gina A. (Antonio) Muñiz of Waterloo, IA; grandchildren, Matt, Ben (Erin), Jordan (Fiancé Chris Anderson), and Reid (Fiancé Whitney Lonning) Nedved; Cory, Kyle (Lindsay), Ryan (Ashley) Trousdale; Elena and AJ Muñiz; great-grandchildren, Trevor and Serena Trousdale; Emma, Elexis, and Elyn Nedved; Zakery and Zoey Anderson; Bo and Reese Trousdale; Norah Dorhmann; and Ava Pitzenberger; brothers, Robert (Marlys), Ronald, and Roger Benson; and several special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle; parents, Wilton and Lois Benson; sister, Vera Spencer; and brother, Richard Benson. Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401, 641-423-8676 www.Fullertonfh.com