Jo Ann Lollmann Darnell, 71 of Jacksonville, passed away Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Funeral services have been set for Monday, December 22, 2025 at 10:00 am at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Providence Cemtery. No formal visitation has been scheduled.
Jo Ann was born on Tuesday, September 14, 1954, in Falls City, Richardson County, Nebraska, where she was baptized in the St. Peter and Paul ’s church. She was the daughter of Raymond “Ray” Edward Lollman and Imogene “Sally” LaNetta Martinosky. The family lived on a dairy farm at the time of Jo’s birth and she had one older sister. At the age of two, Jo and Carol went into a shed on the family farm where Jo managed to get her doll in DDT and transferred it to her mouth. It was feared she would die she was so sick. She recovered, but lost all of her far very sparce hair. Her hair did grow back as if it had been fertilized it was so thick. She had the prettiest hair – the envy of all her sisters.
The family moved from the farm in Falls City to Everett, Washington in April of 1960. In her youth, Jo was a campfire girl for many years. She also participated in the Everett Youth Symphony. She played bass. During symphony performances girls wore long black skirts; boys wore black pants; both wore red cummerbunds with white shirts or blouses. Jo was so little she stood on a box to play her bass. Her black skirt was long enough to cover the box.
At the age of 25, Jo married the love of her life, David Lewis Darnell on Friday, October 26, 1979, in Nolanville, Bell County, Texas, when he was 28 years old. They loved to travel and enjoy the beautiful sights and scenery of the world. They took over 15 cruises together. She was a member of and worked for St. Helen Catholic Church Georgetown, Texas. After buying their home in Georgetown, Jo picked the bluebonnet seeds each year to replant for the next year – she loved the bluebonnets, the thicker the better. She went on missions to Antigua, Guatemala and Mexico. Jo loved her dogs, chickens and Izzy (a parrot she had for 20 plus years). She planted big gardens each year and canned. She planted almond and peach trees in Georgetown and pineapples in Rockport. She was so proud of her first pineapple which was so small only about six inches tall, but she said it tasted good. She was a great cook and hosted holiday dinners for friends. Her hobbies included reading, sewing, quilting. She made quilts for her great nieces and nephews as baby gifts. She spent many hours at the coffee shop with friends playing a hidden object game. Became a DAR member in 2025 fulfilling a goal she’d had for some time.
Jo Ann cherished her family and loved each one dearly. She is survived by her husband David Lewis Darnell and her sisters, Carol Elaine (Lollmann) Hagerman, Donna Rae (Lollmann) Martinez, Ila Mae (Lollmann) Frasquillo and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be sent to the Darnell family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com
