Darlene Jean Werner

Darlene Jean Werner, 89, of Jackson, Missouri, went to her heavenly home on May 27, 2024, at the Hospice unit of the Lutheran Home.

Darlene was born, the oldest of five children, to Oswald Frederick Leimbach and Flora Leuders on May 20, 1935. Darlene was born on the family farmhouse in Wittenberg, Missouri. She attended grade school on the Ridge for five years, then finished grade school and second year of high school in Altenburg and graduated from Perryville High School. She graduated from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in 1956 and worked for Perryville Hospital.

Darlene was baptized, confirmed and married at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Altenburg. On  August 23, 1957, Darlene married Ervin W. Werner, son of Otto Friedrich and Wilhelmina Christina (Baer) Werner. They moved to Monrovia, California. Darlene attended First Lutheran Church, Monrovia, and was very active in church work. Darlene loved being a "petal pusher" helping decorate the Lutheran Hour Ministries float entry for the Tournament of Roses Parade. Darlene worked for Methodist Hospital of Southern Calif., Arcadia, as a RN. During her 30 years of employment, she continued her education while working a full-time job and being a dedicated wife and mother and retired as the Vice President of Nursing. Darlene was a loving, caring person who loved helping others. This was evident throughout her nursing career. Her legacy was promoting and protecting patient care at the hospital. She was loved and respected by her colleagues and staff. There are a number of people that said they chose a nursing career because of Darlene's example.

After retiring from Methodist Hospital, Darlene worked five years at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center as a nurse. She was passionate about everything she did. She also sold Mary Kay cosmetics and was very successful.

After retirement, Darlene and Ervin moved to Jackson, Missouri, in 1996. They were active members of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Darlene was so grateful for being born to and raised by a Christian family. Her faith and family were number one to her. She loved being a grandmother and great grandmother. She was always listening to hymns on her Bose radio and singing along with every song.

Darlene volunteered at both Southeast and St. Francis hospitals, and the health department. She served on the Southeast Hospital Auxiliary Board, did Stephen Ministry at St. Francis Hospital and belonged to the Concordia Guild LWML Loving survivors include her husband of 66 years Ervin Werner of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Mark (Annette) Werner of Jackson, Kevin (Lory) Werner of Mechanicsburg, PA; daughter, Patty Main (Mike) of Jackson; brother, Gary D (Sulu) Leimbach of Riverbank, CA and numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Laverne Petzoldt, brothers, Harold D. Leimbach and Russel J. Leimbach.

The visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. on Friday May 31, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

The Rev. Joshua Schmidt will conduct the funeral service at 11 a.m., at the church.

A private burial will take place at a later date.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggest St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall above Darlene's obituary at mccombsfuneralhome.com.

St. Paul Lutheran Church - Jackson, MO
223 W. Adams, Jackson MO 63755
Tel: 1-573-243-2236
Email: office@stpauljackson.com
Web: http://www.stpauljackson.com