Darlene M. Otte

Darlene (Christian) Otte was born on August 23,1937 to Charles & Genevieve Christian in Waco, Nebraska. She married Robert (Bob) Otte on March 15, 1959. They settled in York, Nebraska where they lived for 5 years. A new job opportunity resulted in a move to Newton, Iowa, then Des Moines, Iowa and Fremont, Nebraska as Bob changed jobs and relocated. They moved to Lenexa, Kansas in 1982 when Bob took over his company, Aftermarket Associates. Darlene worked as a bookkeeper for several years for different companies, as well as working for Sears Service Center in Lenexa, KS. She also took care of the accounting for their business, from which they retired in 2007. They have lived in Overland Park, Kansas for 23 years.

As the kids were growing up the family did a lot of camping and took several road trips, always making sure family vacations were a priority. Darlene loved to spend time with her family, shopping with the girls and especially doting on her grandkids. As the kids grew up she enjoyed traveling with her husband and their best friends. They went on several cruises, a trip to Germany, and 2 trips to Hawaii. She always enjoyed gardening and having many flower baskets, plants and shrubs around her deck. She was a devoted wife & mother and was much loved by all of her children and grandchildren. Darlene was an excellent seamstress and made so many beautiful dresses for weddings and other special occasions. She loved having her entire family with her each year at Thanksgiving, and we are all so blessed that God gave us this last Thanksgiving together.

Darlene was a great example to all of us and instilled strong family values in all of her kids. She always went the extra mile in everything she did and was an inspiration as she endured her struggle with cancer with grace until the end.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Eileen, Imogene & Lavonne, infant daughter Pamela Sue. Darlene is survived by her husband Bob, three children, Randy & wife Diane, Debbie & husband John, Steve and wife Shelly, 7 grandchildren: Richard & Amanda Otte, Jessica Real, Cory Wilkening, Kailey Jensen, Shelby & Jordan Otte, Ginger & Cassidy Drury. She is also survived by siblings Laura Dickey, Lois Luebbe, Richard Christian & Harold Christian.