Darlene Marie Shadle

Darlene Marie Shadle passed peacefully away at the age of 83 years old on September 8, 2019 at the Presbyterian Manor in Clay Center, KS.

She was born on July 29, 1936 to parents Charles F. and Laura (Crawford) Kellogg.

Darlene grew up in Clay Center. She attended school in Clay Center and graduated from CCCHS. After graduating from high school, Darlene worked several jobs in the Clay Center and Manhattan areas before joining the U.S. Army. She served in the U.S. Army Nursing Corps from October 1956 until her honorable discharge in October 1958. While in the service, she completed the Medical Specialist course conducted at the Army Medical Service School and Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver, CO, and was stationed at the U.S. Army Hospital in Sandia Base, New Mexico.

She came back to Clay Center after her service and married Ralph Shadle on April 17, 1959;  they were happily married for almost 56 years. She was introduced to Ralph by her mom, Laura, who got to know Ralph through working with him at the Farmer’s Co-op. Darlene’s mom set them up by having Ralph come over for dinner at her home.

Ralph preceded her in death on February 5, 2015. Darlene is also preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Charlene “Sue” Sellers; her sister-in-laws Leona Shadle and Darlene Adams, her brother-in-law Hank Adams, her son-in-law, Scott Stevens; and her grandson-in-law, Joshua Avitia.

Survivors include her son Randy Shadle and his wife Denise of Morganville, KS; her daughter Lynn Stevens of Fresno, CA; four grandchildren: Stephanie, Jennifer, Angelina, and Danielle, along with their spouses; eleven great-grandchildren; and her brother, Charles R. Kellogg of Myakka, FL.

She was a member of the Clay Center United Methodist Church.

Her family remembers many fun times spent with Ralph and Darlene at their home. Darlene loved music of all kinds. Family would often stop by their house and find her dancing in the kitchen while listening to the radio. She would listen to the latest music, like the Backstreet Boys, with her granddaughters when they were young. Charlie Brown was a favorite television program they always watched at their home.

She loved to cook and bake, and hosted many family dinners over the years. Ralph loved sweets, and Darlene was excellent at baking pies and other treats for him. She always told stories about baking Randy chocolate chip cookies as a child. She made lunches for her granddaughters in her kitchen while Ralph and Randy worked in the garden.

She had a special door in her kitchen where she would keep track of how tall “Stephy” and “Jenny” (as she liked to call them) were growing. She was an avid reader and crocheter. She was an artist who loved to draw in her drawing room. She would draw pictures for her grandkids and hang pictures up around the house. While living at the manor, it was very important to her to keep in touch with family and friends by sending cards and letters. She would often draw pictures along with the letters she sent.

While their kids were growing up, Darlene and Ralph would drive the family out to Green to visit with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins every Sunday. In later years, they would drive out to Randy and Denise’s house every Sunday evening to visit with their family.

Lynn has very fond childhood memories of time spent with her mom. She particularly enjoyed shopping with Darlene on Saturdays and finishing the day at Rexall Drugs with Green Rivers.

Danielle vividly remembers visiting her grandparents in the summer and Darlene giving her a mason jar to catch fireflies. It was something that seemed so magical as a child, and is still a very fond memory for her as an adult.

Darlene enjoyed spending time with her sister, Sue. As adults, they spent time together and even briefly lived together after Ralph moved into the manor. They would always have lively conversations.

She was proud to have served in the army. While living at the manor, she loved to take walks outside and would always salute the American flag as she passed by.

Respect calls will take place on Friday, September, 13, 2019 in the chapel at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home at 11:30 a.m. until the service time. The service will take place in the same location at 1:30 p.m. and will be officiated by Pastor Sarah Gill. The burial will take place at Fancy Creek Cemetery in Green, KS.

Memorials can be made to the Clay Center Presbyterian Manor Good Samaritan Fund c / o  the funeral home.