Darlene M. Elder

Darlene Margaret (Gordan) Elder, 85 of Aurora, NE (Formerly of Ogallala) died Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Memorial Community Care in Aurora, NE.

Darlene was born March 15, 1938, in Roscoe, NE to Alfred and Enola (Smith) Gordon. She attended school in Roscoe and graduated from Ogallala, NE in 1955.

Darlene was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in St. John’s Church in rural Ogallala. On July 17, 1956, Darlene married Ira Dale Elder at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The couple lived in Alexandria, VA for three years while Dale served in the U.S. Army. During that time their son Barry Dale, was born in 1958. In 1959, the Elders moved back to Nebraska and Darlene worked for Dr. Schindler, DDS, in Ogallala. In 1962 a daughter Debra Jean was born and in 1963 a daughter Cheri Lynn was born to Dale and Darlene.

In 1973 the Elder family moved to Aurora, NE. Darlene began working for James B. Anderson, DDS. Darlene liked to do craft work in her spare time. She also enjoyed camping and taking trips with her family, it filled her summer months along with raising garden flowers. Darlene enjoyed country and gospel singing and country dancing with Dale. Dale and Darling were high school sweethearts and celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary in 2023. Her children and grandchildren were the joy of her life.

Preceding Darlene in death are her parents, son Barry Dale Elder, and her sisters Pauline Armknecht, Naomi Mailand, Aileen Gordon, and her brothers Darrell Gordon, Clifford Gordon, John Gordon, and Alfred Gordon.  

Surviving family includes her husband Dale of Aurora, NE; her daughters Debra (Wayne) Wehmeier, of Hampton, NE and Cheri (Matthew) Keyes of Gretna, NE. Grandchildren, Jari Ann (Thomas) Dunekacke of Auburn, NE, Jordan Wehmeier, of Omaha, NE, Jacob Keyes of Phoenix, AZ and Rachel Keyes of Elkhorn, NE, Katherine Elder of Des Moines, IA; and two great-grandsons, Parker and Dylan Dunekacke. Darlene’s surviving sisters include Evelyn Frosh, Shirley Ziegler, JoAnn (Jerry) Perlinger, and Marilyn (Roger) Dahlkoetter.

Visitation will be Friday, November 17th, 2023 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at St. John's Lutheran Church, Southeast of Ogallala.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 17th, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. in St. John's Lutheran Church, with Reverend Albert Bader officiating.

Interment will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.

A memorial has been established for St. John's Lutheran Church in Darlene's memory.

Services will be live-streamed at www.drauckerfh.com. Online condolences may be left at www.drauckerfh.com.Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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