Darlene Marie Werth, age 83, of Hays, Kansas died in her home on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in Hays. She was born on December 1, 1940, on the family farm near Munjor, Kansas to Henry and Josepha (Klaus) Ruder. She was a 1958 graduate of Victoria High School. Darlene married Irvin Lee Werth in Victoria, Kansas at The Basilica of St. Fidelis on November 14, 1959. He preceded her in death on September 21, 2015.
Darlene was a homemaker and along with Irvin started their own business, Smoky Hill Sand Company, where she was the bookkeeper. She enjoyed gardening, canning, quilting, baking, and cooking traditional German meals for her family. She enjoyed watching masses and country music shows on TV. She was a member of the St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, past member of the Schoenchen Altar Society and taught religious education classes for St. Anthony’s Parish.
She is survived by a son: Bruce (Debby) Werth of St. George, KS; daughters: LuAnn (Dave) Pfeifer Ellis, KS; Karen (Roger) Ochs of North Platte, NE; and Kaylene Koerner of Peachtree Corners, GA; a brother: Allen (Mary) Ruder of Victoria, KS; a sister: Patricia Lang of Wichita, KS; sisters-in-law: Alice Ruder and Carmen Ruder both of Hill City, KS; grandchildren: Galen (Abby) Werth, Kayla (Jason) Malay, Lynn (Landon) Leiker, Jamie (Nick) Panek, Courtney (William) Krokey, Dr. Jordan (Lindsay) Ochs, Danielle (Todd) Flinn, Kierra (Jack) Larsen, Megan (Ben) Stidham, Jillessa (Torey) McMullen, Brady (fiancé, Josselyn Thornton) Koerner, Chase Ochs, Derek (Brooklyn) Pfeifer, and Chandler Koerner; as well as great grandchildren: Madilynn Parsons, Gracie Werth, Oakley, Kruze, and Tux Panek, Logan, Jacob, and Riley Leiker, Kenzie, Kaylen, and Easton Flinn, Henry, Leo, and Maren Ochs, Lillian, and Daisy Larsen, Breck McMullen, Carley, Alyssa, Reagan, Jackson, and Liam Krokey, and Brooks Stidham, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; infant grandson: Joseph Lee Koerner; brothers: Virgil, Robert, Gerald, Donald and Wayne Ruder, sisters-in-law: Marge Ruder and Jane Ruder, and a brother-in-law: Ronald Lang.
Memorial Mass will be 11:00 AM at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Schoenchen, KS on Saturday March 9, 2024, with Father Curtis Carlson, OFM Cap., officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial Visitation will be Saturday March 9, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM with a rosary service at 10:30 AM all at St. Anthony Church.
Memories and words of comfort may be shared on Darlene’s tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Masses, St. Anthony Cemetery Fund Schoenchen, KS, and/or St. Fidelis Cemetery Fund Victoria, KS.
Services in care of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory – Brock’s Chapel, 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.