Darlene Perlenfein

After writing so many obituaries during my thirty–three years of working at the Funeral Home, my daughter said that I would have to write my own obituary so here we go……..

I was born in Milford, Nebraska in a home for unwed mothers on August 7, 1929 and was adopted by Lua and Lena (Snodgrass) Hadley of Fullerton, Nebraska in November. of that same year.  Since they had traded their Maxwell auto for land southwest of Yuma in 1913 they decided to move to Yuma in 1930. Darlene was their only child but she managed to create a very exciting life for herself and her parents. 

Lua was an auctioneer and “cried” sales for George Gearhart it was the only sale in Yuma located on West Hoag Avenue.  Lena ran a lunchroom at the Sale Barn during the auctions. 

In 1935 I started First Grade with Miss Mona Lindsey at the North School and processing to Fourth Grade at the West School. In November of 1942 my Dad died and I thought the world was going to end, it didn’t but life changed,  We had cows, pigs, chickens as a lot of people did, so I milked the cows, fed the pigs and helped with the chickens, the mowing and scooping snow. 

I was always fascinated by pianos and tried to play one everywhere we went that had one.  There was a farm sale that had a piano listed and my Dad bought it.  There was really a thrilled six year old little girl when the piano was delivered.  Mother would tie 25 cents in a handkerchief and I would walk to Dorothy Weekley’s home for piano lessons.  After I could play the piano I would save up allowances and buy sheet music for 35 cents a copy at Kitzmiller’s Drug Store. 

When I was 13 the Methodist Church was without any organists as a lot of them went with their husbands who were drafted into the Army Services and there were no Organ teachers in Yuma during that time.  So I purchased an organ technique book and went to the church after school and on Saturdays to practice until I could play the organ for church. I continued to play and sing for many church services, funeral and weddings along with years of teaching music lessons on the organ and piano. 

While in High School I worked for Vera Chance gathering news and folding Yuma Pioneers on Wednesdays.  In my senior year I worked for Mr. Thoman, the superintendent, for one period a day.  I graduated with the “Class of 1947” with the honor of being Class Valedictorian.

After dating Alvin Perlenfein for more than a year we exchanged wedding vows September 9, 1947.  Not being able to buy a farm at the time of their marriage, Alvin and Darlene purchased the old “Sale Barn” property of five acres on west Hoag Avenue from George Gearhart and developed it into an “almost self-sufficient” acreage, which she still owns. Alvin and Darlene designed and remodeled their home, which Darlene still lives in.

Our first daughter, Mary Alene was born on September 2, 1948 and Jill Susan arrived April 12, 1952. 

My hobby was gardening so I raised veggies to eat, can and freeze. I also raised roses, flowers, and fruit trees.  I belonged to Progressive Women’s Club and Eastern Star serving as the Worthy Matron in 1970.

Ralph Spellman approached me to keep books for the Morris Spellman Funeral Home which ended up being a job for 33 years this also included the printing the notices and folders for the services.  The printing was all done on the printing press which is now at Yuma Museum.  I kept the records for the Yuma Cemetery after it became its own district.

Darlene spent many years playing and /or singing for many funerals.  I spent Monday afternoons at the Parrish Care Center playing for their Hymn Sing for over 20 years. 

One evening Alvin and I were watching a Billy Graham program and the result was that we received Jesus as our Savior that evening.  We had attended church all our lives but John 14 had never been real to us until then.  

After our daughters graduated and left home, my mother passed away.  Alvin purchased a RV and we took some trips in it,  He continued to farm, raise a cattle herd and worked at the funeral home and monument shop and I continued to do the accounting for the Yuma and Wray Funeral Homes along with printing notices and folders.  When Alvin’s health began to decline he was forced to sell part of the cattle herd and some of the pasture in 1978.  He continued part-time work for the funeral home and monument shop. 

I lost Alvin on June 1, 1982.  At that time, I sold the livestock.  I have been mowing and continued to care for our five acre farm for my remaining time.  I lost my daughter, Mary on March 19, 2020 and my grandson, Jared Wenger on June 20, 2008.

I was blessed by the Lord to continue to live in my home for 74 plus years.  I am also thankful to the Lord that I was not aborted.  Life has been hard but wonderful.  (Darlene passed away on April 12, 2026 at the Yuma District Hospital, she was 96.)

I am survived by my daughter, Jill Wenger; grandsons, Alan (fiancé Tonya) McConnell, John (Jen) McConnell, Jadon Wenger and granddaughter, Lisa (Chuck) Conner; great grandsons,  Matthew McConnell, Quentin McConnell and Liam McConnell; great-great granddaughter, Luci along with other relatives and friends. 

Funeral Service – Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Jonathan McMillan officiating.  Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.