A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, for Darla Mae (Neitzell) Janka, 64,

of Ellendale, at St. Aidan’s Catholic Church in Ellendale. The Rev. Thien Nguyen will officiate.

Interment will be in Geneva Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at

Bonnerup Funeral Service in Ellendale, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Visitation also one hour before the service at the church.

Darla died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, at

her home after battling cancer.

Darla was born in Albert Lea

on Nov. 6, 1942.

She was the daughter of Jay and Olive (Smith) Neitzell.

She graduated from Ellendale High School and married Rudy Janka on Nov. 24, 1962 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newry.

In her early years, Darla worked at the Owatonna Library.

She was later employed by Federated Insurance Co.

In 1985, Darla and Delores Kasper established D & D Ceramics in Ellendale.

She worked as a bookkeeper for Steve’s Meat Market, Richards Wood Products, Ellendale Truck Stop, Geneva Fire Department, Ellendale Caf/ and Geneva Liquor Store.

She was a member of St. Aidan’s Catholic Church.

She enjoyed playing cards, reading and spending time with her grandchildren; as well as her trips to the casino.

Darla is survived by her husband, Rudy and their three children, Brenda (Gary) Tschann of Rochester, Kari Janka of Ellendale, Troy (Stephanie) Janka of Owatonna, and eight grandchildren, Alyssa, Andrew, Ashton, Paige, Libby, McKenzie, Tanner and Madison.

She is also survived by her sister, Bev (Eber) Harpel; two brothers, Jerry (Lilly) Neitzell and LaVern (Kate) Neitzell.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Special thanks to her caregivers, Sue Anderson, Andy Lerberg, Jerry Neitzell, Bev Harpel, Eileen Thompson, The Owatonna Hospice and Dr. Arvin Vocal.