Darleen Kay Bradford, 82, of Kansas City, Missouri and formerly of Okeechobee, Florida passed away Sunday, December 20, 2020 at her son’s home in Kansas City.
Darleen was born in Lyons, Kansas, on April 23, 1938, the daughter of Denzil F. and Jewel E. (Vaughn) Bradford. She grew up in Kansas and graduated from Lindsborg High School in 1956 and went on to graduate from Asbury School of Nursing. Salina, Kansas in 1959. She received her first Bachelor’s Degree in Dickinson, North Dakota and subsequent Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Nursing from Ft. Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. Darleen got her single engine private pilot license when living in Indiana in 1967 and International Scuba Diving Certificate in 1972 when living in Okinawa, Japan. After Retirement in 2003, she spent the next seven years traveling as a full time RVer.
Darleen is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Lucas Bradford of San Antonio, Texas and her son, Bret Lucas and wife Jenny of Kansas City, Missouri; four grandchildren, Bret, J.Q., Megan and Liberty; and beloved sister, Sheila Connick of Okeechobee, Florida.
The family and friends of Darleen morn her passing and celebrate her life. Darleen embraced the qualities of being brave, gentle and wise as her philosophy for living. She touched all our lives in so many ways as a daughter, mother, sister, nurse and friend. Darleen’s steadfast love for her children, family and friends, her unwavering concern for those she cared for as a nurse, and her lifelong dedication to her education and profession are collectively shared in our loving memory of her.
A Graveside Service and Interment will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, December 28, 2020 at Russell City Cemetery in Russell, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to Noon, Monday, December 28, 2020 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Memorials have been established with Trinity United Methodist Church of Russell, Okeechobee Presbyterian Church of Florida or the Alzheimer’s Research at the Mayo Clinic. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.