Darlene Marie Nelson of Roeland Park, Kansas went to be with her Lord and Saviour on April 28th, 2015 after a long, full life. Darlene Frey was born on April 29th, 1930 in Coffeyville, Kansas and later moved with her family to Dearing, Kansas. She lived in the Coffeyville area for many years, and worked first at the confectionary, and then at the refinery where her father also worked. She graduated from Coffeyville Community College, and was a life-long Red Ravens fan. She married Earnest M. Nelson of Garden City, Kansas in 1958, and moved there, where their daughter Linda was born one year later, before relocating to Gladstone, Missouri. Their son Kent was born in North Kansas City, Missouri in 1960. The family moved to Roeland Park, Kansas the following year. Darlene was a stay-at-home mom while her children attended grade school. She then worked at Indian Hills Junior High as a cashier in the cafeteria. She later went to work as a clerk at Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company before retiring. She also worked for many years for the Johnson County Election Office at local schools during elections. In 2014 she moved to Bickford Senior Care in Mission, Kansas where she made many friends playing poker and taking field trips. Darlene was a life-long sports fan and will be joining her husband Earnest in heaven, loyally cheering on the KU Jayhawks, Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Darlene also enjoyed spoiling her two grandchildren, and bowled for many years at Mission Bowl. She also donated her time at Southridge Presbyterian Church, and for local charities. She loved to tell colorful jokes, and made people laugh wherever she went. Preceding Darlene into heaven was her father Benjamin Frey, mother Leona, older brothers Floyd, Lloyd and Paul (Doris). Darlene leaves behind her daughter Linda Nelson Atha of Prairie Village, Kansas; a son Kent Nelson of Lee's Summit, Missouri; a younger sister Clara Jane Stark (Frank) of Independence, Kansas; and a younger brother Forrest Frey (Sharon) of Coffeyville, Kansas, and two grandchildren Amber and Neely Atha.

Services

A visitation is set for 1:30 - 2:30 PM, Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Amos Family Funeral Home 10901 Johnson Drive Shawnee, Kansas 66203 with a funeral service immediately following at 2:30 PM. Burial will take place at Antioch Pioneer Cemetery in Merriam, Kansas.

Contributions

The family suggests contributions to the Parkinson's Foundation of the Heartland in Kansas City. Donations may also be made to the family for a bench to be installed near a tree planted in Earnest's honor at Southridge Presbyterian Church in Roeland Park.