Darlene L. Moehlenbrink, age 90, of Bremen, Kansas, passed away on December 30, 2025, at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville.

Visitation, with the family present, was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 5, at Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville.

A funeral service was held 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, at Immanuel Lutheran (Hermansberg) Lutheran Church. Pastor Albert Bader officiated.  The organist was Bev Crome, and hymns included "How Great Thou Art", "Nearer My God to Thee", "I Heard the Voice of Jesus", and "Amazing Grace."

Burial followed in the church cemetery.

The pallbearers were Dan Barbour, Clair Friedrichs, Gary Mason, Rick Larkin, Robin Friedrichs, and Will Kelley. Honorary pallbearers will be Derek Schmidt and Reece Moehlenbrink.

Darlene was born on May 26, 1935, in Odell, Nebraska, the daughter of Martin and Mabel (Schaefer) Friedrichs. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hermansberg, attended Immanuel Lutheran School, and remained a lifelong member of the church. She grew up on the family farm near Bremen and graduated from Marysville High School in 1953.

On September 18, 1955, Darlene was united in marriage to Howard C. Moehlenbrink. The couple became the parents of two children, Patricia and Craig.

Darlene worked as a secretary and receptionist for Tension Envelope in Marysville for 23 years. She was actively involved in her community, teaching Sunday school and serving as a 4-H leader in cooking and sheep projects.

She enjoyed many years of bowling with the Marysville City Bowling League. Darlene loved farm life, especially gardening, canning, and mowing her yard. She delighted in dancing with Howard, playing cards, and making the occasional casino trip. She took great pride in having traveled to all 50 states, embracing every adventure—good or bad—and often joked that she never received a speeding ticket, only plenty of warnings.

Darlene had a wonderful sense of humor, cherished time with family and friends, and was an avid sports fan, especially of the Kansas City Royals. Her love for sports ran deep. She was a fast-pitch softball pitcher for the Marysville Sender Pontiacs, known to her teammates as “Freddie.” The team captured the 1951 All-Star State Class B Softball Championship. She later played for the Manhattan Eaglets, who won the 1954 Class A Championship.

Darlene was instrumental in starting the Bremen girls fast-pitch softball team, which became part of the KS-NE League. She coached the team for 10 years, and her daughter Pat played under her guidance. Because of Darlene’s dedication, many young girls were able to enjoy summer softball.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, in 2006; her beloved son, Craig, in 2014; her parents, Martin and Mabel Friedrichs; an infant brother; brothers, Leonard (Elda) Friedrichs and Ray (Lorna) Friedrichs; sisters, Verneda (Jerry) Mason and Donna Kelley; and her in-laws, Arlin and LuEtta Moehlenbrink.

Survivors include her daughter, Patricia (Tom) Orazem of Manhattan, Kansas; sister, Janice (Lennis) Holle of Marysville; brother-in-law, Tim Kelley of Lee Summit, Missouri; grandchildren, Erika (Jason) Hughes, Nicole (Andy) Blakemore, Derek Schmidt, and Reece Moehlenbrink; great-grandchildren, Madison and Noah Hughes, and Julian Darlene Blakemore; along with many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established, with designation to be announced at a later date. Contributions may be made in care of Kinsley Mortuary, P.O. Box 147, Marysville, Kansas 66508.