Darlene Elemeretta Oltmanns

Darlene Oltmanns, Council Grove, passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the age of 89, three weeks shy of her 90^th birthday.  

Darlene Elemeretta Walker was born in Pawnee, OK on December 24^th, 1933, to Harry Nugget Walker and Hazel Irene (McQuiston) Walker.  She grew up in the Mashum community and graduated from Pawnee High School in 1953.  Growing up on the family farm northwest of Pawnee, Darlene was the youngest of five children. As a child she worked with her mom and dad on their small farm with crops, cattle, pigs, and chickens. She loved being around the animals and horseback riding. She told many stories of her time spent on the Arkansas River fishing with her dad – a past time that continued after Darlene was married and had children - with everyone sleeping in a 10-person tent on the banks of the river nearly every weekend. 

After graduation, Darlene was a bookkeeper until her marriage to Paul Gustav John Oltmanns on September 23^rd, 1956 in Stillwater, OK.  Darlene was first to be confirmed in the (then) newly built Salem Lutheran Church and she and Paul were also the first to be married there. To this union 4 children were born—Bev, Rhonda, Paul Jr and Deb, all of whom were baptized in the same church.  Darlene was a housewife until their youngest, Deb, was in school, then worked various jobs in retail, was a nurse’s aide at CMH in Marysville for several years and worked in a medical office.

Darlene was a ‘sprite’ soul who was an excellent seamstress, crafter, and cook.  Paul and Darlene were accomplished square dancers, and she sewed all her own dresses. She also sewed many of the clothes for their young children.  She enjoyed making crocheted doilies and blankets.

Preceding Darlene was her husband of 30 years Paul on October 6^th, 1986, a granddaughter Jessica Marie Andres April 28^th, 2002, a great-grandson, Jackson Eli Touch, September 7, 2014, and her parents.  Also preceding her in death were her 4 sisters Dottie (Bill) Kelley, Dora (Lawrence) Howland, Della (Wayne) Cates, Wanda (Harold) Cates, and 1 brother, Sammie (Ethel) Walker.

Survivors are her children, Bev (Les) Atkinson, Blue Rapids, KS, Rhonda (Todd) Niemeier, Amado, AZ, Paul Jr. (Tracey) Oltmanns, Lansing, KS and Deb (Duane) Andres, Council Grove, KS. 16 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild on the way and 1 sister-in-law Ethel Walker as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, December 8^th at 11:00 AM with a Celebration of Life to follow at noon at the First Baptist Church, 501 Country Lane. A luncheon following the service will be provided. 

On Saturday, December 9, a Celebration of Life service will be held at Strode Funeral home, 610 S. Duncan Street, Stillwater Oklahoma at 10:30AM. Interment will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery in Stillwater.

Memorial contributions can be made to Diversicare of Council Grove, or Hand in Hand Hospice of Emporia and sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846. To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.sawyerchapel.com.