Darlene Harper

A Memorial Service for Darlene Harper will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Alma, Nebraska with Mr. Gary Janssen, officiating.  Inurnment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery at Franklin, Nebraska.

The memorial service will be live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622

Darlene Harper, 77 years of age, of Alma, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society Colonial Villa in Alma. Darlene and her twin sister were born on November 16, 1944, on the farm at Long Island, Kansas, the second and third of five children, born to Raymond C. and Helen R. (Young) Rodenbaugh.  Darlene received her education from Franklin Public Schools and graduated from Franklin High School with the class of 1963.

Following her education Darlene was united in marriage to Stan Hansen together they had five children:  Janna, Jodi, Julie, Melissa, and Kert.  Darlene stayed home and tended to her children and helped on the farm.  They would later divorce and Darlene was later married to Don Harper of Kansas.

Darlene worked as a cosmetologist then began working as a District Rep. with Hallmark Cards.  She later worked at Becton Dickinson in Holdrege until her retirement.  During her retirement years, she worked at the golf course in Alma.  Many friendships were made during her years of employment at Becton Dickinson and the golf course.

Darlene will be remembered for her great smile, her huge hugs, and making everyone feel welcomed.  You would never go hungry if Granny was around!  If she was asked to bring a dozen cupcakes, you can bet she would bring the whole bakery and then some.  She was best known as "Granny" by her family and "Weenie" by her friends.  Her favorite activities were anything that her grandchildren were involved in.

Christmas was one of her favorite holidays, she loved to spoil her kids and grandkids.  She not only included her family but anyone that did not have a place to go. She was a die-hard Nebraska fan, and not just the football team but also basketball and volleyball.  Granny's favorite hobby was crocheting, which she was self-taught.  She would spend hours making unlimited numbers of doilies, blankets, baby booties, baptismal gowns, etc.  She loved finding new patterns to crochet.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Helen; and, Helen's second husband, Lawrence Schriner; two brothers:  Bobby Rodenbaugh; and Roy C. Rodenbaugh; her twin sister, Marlene Wiles, and her husband, Rodger; a granddaughter, Tori Maaske; and a grandson, Curtis Klotther.

She leaves to celebrate her life, her five children:  Janna Tripe and her husband, Brad of Alma; Jodi Maaske and her husband, Brian of Loomis, Nebraska; Julie Klotthor and her husband, Kenny of Sedona, Arizona; Melissa Johnsen of Holdrege; and Kert Hansen and his wife, Jenny of Wilcox, Nebraska; 14 grandchildren:  Brianne (Justin), Brook (Troy), Terah, Trevor, Casey, Lance, Cami, Alexandra (Alex), Sydnie, Kinley, and Kolby; 10 great-grandchildren:  Rylan, Colson, Kimberli, Harper, Teagan, Bailey, Taryn, Sydney, Scarlette, and Cadence; one sister:  Karlene Beach and her husband, Lloyd of Panora, Iowa; one sister-in-law, Wanda Rodenbaugh of Loomis; along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Memorial Book Signing will be held on Thursday, February 24, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma, with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Darlene's honor and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.