VALLEY CENTER — Darlene Kay (Bell) Kasselman was born June 5, 1945 and joined the Lord on June 21, 2022. Born to John Elmer and Ruby (Perkins) Bell in Lyons, Kansas. She is survived by her husband Larry D. Kasselman of Valley Center; children Tammy Kasselman (Martin Navarrete), Daron Kasselman (Holly Kasselman); brother Ronald Bell (Patricia); sister Diane Cunningham; grandchildren Samantha Hill (Jeff Hill), Devan Navarrete, Brittany Young (Jake Wright), and Jacob Kasselman; great-grandkids: Danielle, Waylen, & Charlie Hayes, Jarrod and Jace Hill, Jianna & Josie Wright; many nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandson Jesse Navarrete.
As a youth she moved from Lyons to Sterling, Hays and finally Great Bend where she met Larry. She attended Brown Machie Business College in Wichita. It was in Great Bend where Darlene got her first glimpse of Larry. She was working in the upstairs office of Montgomery Wards. Larry would come over from the tire shop on Thursday night to pick up his pay envelope of $49.19 cash. Larry encountered Darlene on a double date and later asked his buddy permission to ask her out. Dating less than a year, they went to Pastor Talbet. As pastors are prone to do it wasn’t long before salvation came up. After presenting the love of God through Christ, she readily accepted. She grew in Jesus Christ becoming more and more faithful over 56 years. She worked in real estate in Great Bend and later opened a clothing store called “Tammy’s to provide plus size clothing for women. In 1979 Larry was transferred to Wichita and the family moved to Valley Center. Darlene got a job at Koch Industries which turned out to be more physical than she expected. She got a job with the Ark Valley State Bank for many years. Daughter Tammy was working in home health and Darlene then began working doing the books. They later decided to start their own company which became a family story starting in our home’s basement, relocating four times ending up in Wichita with a satellite office in Hutchinson. In early 2014 Darlene’s mind began changing. The doctor gave her a piece of string and asked to make a circle with it to resemble a clock. She handed him back the string without understanding or trying. The doctor shook his head and sadly told us that dementia and Alzheimers is a cruel disease.
Darlene will be greatly missed by family and many friends and acquaintances. She was a champion of her family and helped many people who needed her help. To have her time back would be most selfish on our part. Christ has built her a mansion above. The family would like to sincerely wish to thank the workers and nurses from All Saints Home Care, Inc., Rivercross Hospice and Phoenix Hospice.
Memorial donations may be given in her memory to Alzheimer's Awareness in care of All Saints Home, Inc. Attention Daron Kasselman, 3425 W. Central Ave. Wichita, Kansas 67203.
Service 1 p.m., Monday, June 27 with visitation starting at 12, both held at Riverlawn Christian Church, 4243 N. Meridian, Wichita, Kansas. Graveside following the service at Valley Center Memorial Cemetery, Valley Center, Kansas.
Baker Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com.
Funeral services provided by
Baker Funeral Home
P.O. Box 242; 100 S. Cedar
Valley Center, KS 67147
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 26, 2022
