Darlene Marie Ernst, 78, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, November 01, 2020, at the Wilson Care Center in Wilson, Kansas.
Darlene was born on November 14, 1941, in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of Gilbert and Maria Leoba (Riedel) Karlin. She grew up in Catherine, Kansas, and moved to Victoria, Kansas, in 1955, and graduated from Victoria High School. She met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Fredrick Adam Ernst on July 14, 1962, in Victoria, Kansas. From this union Darlene and Fred were blessed with 3 sons Mark, Michael, and Matthew. She worked in the kitchen at St. Anthony Hospital in Hays for several years. Later she worked in the kitchen for USD 407 and Russell Regional Hospital. She was a longtime member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell and the Russell V.F.W. #6240 Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed making baby quilts, fishing, polka music, country music, dancing, doing the dishes, and watching KU Jayhawk basketball. Most of all she enjoyed being a wife, mother, homemaker, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include her sons Michael Ernst and wife Laurie of Russell, Kansas and Matthew Ernst and wife Sherri of Olathe, Kansas; 4 grandchildren Kelsey, Derek, Tyler and Ashlyn and 2 great grandchildren Kristopher and Ensley; brothers Darrell Karlin and wife Elsie, Francis Karlin, Larry Karlin, Tony Karlin and wife Wanda, Tom Karlin and wife Saundra; sisters Carol (Carrie) Klaus and Marilyn Wagner and husband Gary.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Fred on March 25, 2020, and son Mark. A graveside service to celebrate Darlene’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, November 05, 2020, at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Russell. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, November 04, 2020, at the mortuary. A memorial service may be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to Alzheimer’s Association and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, oversees the funeral service arrangements.