Edwin (Mister Ed) Lee Darnell, 80, of Lakin, Kansas passed away Saturday March 23, 2024, at his home in Lakin, Kansas.
Ed was born April 19, 1943, to Walter Earl Sr. and Lyda Mae (McClaskey) Darnell in La Animas, Colorado. Ed grew up and attended school in Las Animas.
Ed was 2 days shy of his 21st birthday when he married the love of his life Thelma Louise Miller on April 21, 1963, in Las Animas, Colorado. He had his older brother sign for him to marry. They made their home in Holly, Colorado and eventually made their home in Kansas.
Ed had various jobs during his younger years. He would pick cantaloupe by hand which he hated the smell of. He would say he stepped on too many rotten ones stepping off the truck. He went on harvest crews, rode pens in various feed yards and ended working at the Kearny County Road Department for 25 years, retiring in July of 2009.
He enjoyed roping in his younger years and still enjoyed going to rodeos watching his family participate. He loved watching his grandchildren in their activities and family gatherings. Ed and Thelma loved dancing and taking trips to Cripple Creek and Las Vegas. Thelma loved to gamble, while Ed would watch the people. He enjoyed going to the convenient stores to have coffee.
Ed is survived by his three children: Janet (Bill) Rooney Lakin, Kansas; Sandra (Ty) Honstead Healy, Kansas; and Dwayne “Buddy” (Stacey) Darnell, Gordon, Nebraska. 3 brothers: Jim (Donna) Darnell Syracuse, Kansas, Robert (Ruth) Darnell Las Animas, Colorado and Fred Darnell, Las Animas, Colorado He has 7 Grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Louise (Miller) Darnell who died on June 11, 2007; His parents Walter E and Lyda Darnell of Las Animas; 4 sisters Thelma (infant), Ruby Carpenter of Pueblo, CO, Hazel Lathers of Pueblo, CO, & Betty Potter of Las Animas, CO; a brother Walter E. Darnell Jr of Goodland, KS; and a Sister-in-law Roxana Darnell of Las Animas CO.A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the Veterans memorial Building in Lakin, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Lakin Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to Noon Saturday, all at Garnand Funeral Home in Lakin. The family suggests memorials given to the Kearny County Saddle Club in care of Garnand Funeral Home, P.O. Box 91, Lakin, Kansas 67860. Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.