Darlene Elsie Saunders

Darlene Elsie (Gloede) Saunders was born July 18, 1929, the daughter of Titus and Lillian (Schmidt) Gloede. She died February 3, 2021, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, at the age of 91.

Darlene was born and raised on the family farm in Soldier Twp northwest of Ricketts. She enjoyed helping with farm chores, especially caring for the geese. Darlene was from a large family of nine children, and was particularly close to the two sisters nearest to her in age, Frances and UnaBell. She received her education in rural schools and in Denison. Darlene was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Soldier Twp in 1944.

While living in Denison as a young woman, Darlene met Wallace Junior Saunders in 1946. They married on August 15, 1948, and for the early years of their marriage they farmed near Manilla, where Wally grew up. In about 1960 the couple moved to Charter Oak, where they lived for more than 30 years. Wally passed away in 1995, and in 1998 Darlene moved to Denison. In 2016 Darlene moved to Eventide.

In Charter Oak, Darlene was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, where she served on the Ladies Aid for many years. She was always generous with her time, attending to her parents in Ricketts in their retirement years, and driving friends around town and to Denison to go shopping. She was even kindly to stray cats, and for years left food for them outside the Post Office in downtown Charter Oak. She enjoyed reading the "Little House" books, watching TV, listening to polka music, watching the birds at Eventide, and visiting with friends and relatives. She celebrated her 90th birthday in July 2019 with a large gathering of relatives.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings and their spouses Hildegard (Carl Bohlmann), Victor, Wilbur (Phyllis Kunze Baak), Alvin, Elvera (Jack Carlyle), Evelyn, Frances, and UnaBell (Harold
Frehse); her husband Wally; son Timothy; and grandson David. Survivors include sons Roger of Denison, Rick and his wife Robin (Schultz) of Omaha, and Randall and his wife Karen Yingling of Westerville, OH; four grandchildren Alena, Brandon, Claire, and Nell; three great-grandchildren Elsey, Lily, and Nolan; sister-in-law Beverly (Saunders) Kracht of Denison; brother-in-law Stan Kracht of Denison; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.