Darlene Francis Woelk, 90, went to be with her Lord on Friday, July 21, 2023, at The Pratt Health and Rehab in Pratt, Kansas.
Darlene was born on May 12, 1933, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Francis Newton and Eva Gretchen (Hogue) Davis. She was raised by her mother and would recall her adventures in her mom’s restaurant growing up in Beloit, Kansas. She graduated from Beloit High School and began working the summer of 1951, for Woelk Implement in Russell, Kansas. She met, the love of her life and was united in marriage to Donald F. Woelk on July 27, 1952, in Beloit, Kansas. They were married for 53 years and from this union they were blessed with 3 children Pamela, Diane and Daron. In 1970, she became a successful tax consultant and continued this job until in 1979, when she and Don opened Woelk’s House of Diamonds in Russell. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of the Eastern Star and was a Deines Cultural Center Board Member. She retired from the jewelry store at the age of 78. She continued to enjoy playing bridge with many of her friends and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved going to her grandchildren’s activities and made wonderful memories with all of them
She is survived by her daughter Diane Ladenburger and husband Kenton of Pratt, Kansas, son Daron Woelk and wife Katrina of Russell, Kansas, granddaughters Alysha Dickson (Andrew), Audrey Wells (Doug), Amber Johnson (Chaun), Jennalee Martin, Aubrey Larson, grandsons Bryant Woelk (Darian) and Chase Woelk along with 10 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don in 2005, and daughter Pamela in 1969.
A celebration of Darlene’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, July 27, 2023, with family greeting guests form 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening at the mortuary. Memorials may be given to the Deines Cultural Center or Russell Regional Hospital, both in Russell, Kansas. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.