Darlene Lucille (Louis) Mueller was born to George and Ethel (Rice) Louis on May 1, 1936 at St. Mary's Hospital in Columbus, Nebraska. Darlene was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke's United Church of Christ where she maintained her membership throughout her lifetime. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025 at St. Luke's United Church of Christ in Columbus, NE.

She grew up on the family farm with her sisters. Darlene did not enjoy farm chores and determined early she would not marry a farmer. She attended District 9 school through 8th grade and then attended Kramer (Columbus Senior) High School where she graduated in 1953. She took great delight in sneaking her older sister Betty's clothing out of her closet and wearing it to school because "it was prettier." She went to work in the school superintendent's office until she married.

Darlene married Donald E. Mueller on August 14, 1955 at St. Luke's church. They moved to Texas on their honeymoon where Don was stationed after serving in the Korean War. They moved back to Lincoln, Nebraska after his service was completed. Darlene went to work for an insurance agency which she enjoyed very much. After Don graduated from UNL he went to work for State Farm and in 1971 they were moved to Bloomington-Normal, IL. Darlene went to work for General Telephone Company where she stayed until the company dissolved. Several years later they moved to Hudson, IL where they spent the next 40 plus years.

Darlene and Don celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a celebration in Columbus at St. Luke's and a second one in Bloomington-Normal, IL.

Darlene is survived by her sister Carol McDermitt; nieces Peggy (Mike) Reese, Mary Johns and Vicky (Dale) Filley; and nephews Steven Hecker and Michael (Jeanie) Hecker, 16 great-nieces and nephews, and 32 great-grand nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Dee (late Gayle) Mueller and Larry and Marcia Mueller, in-laws who treated her as a sister.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Don; her parents, her in-laws Delila and Edward Mueller; her sisters Betty (Erwin) Hecker and Mary Jane Bryant; her nephews Mark Hecker and Gregory Fast; and her great-niece Erin Johns.

We want to recognize she is also survived by dear friends and neighbors and thank them for helping her to stay in her home as long as possible: Travis and Jennifer Gibson, Mike and Sandy Killian, and Jack and Marla Mitchell.