Darlene M. Hein, 95, of Buhler, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at the Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community. She was born on August 8, 1930 in Hutchinson, Kansas to Edward H. and Emma (Schroeder) Ratzlaff.
She graduated from Buhler Rural High School with the class of 1948.
She was a member of Buhler Mennonite Church. She was a fifty-year charter member of 54th HDU. She was a longtime election volunteer in the Buhler community and a girl scout leader.
Her hobbies included gardening, quilting and baking.
Darlene was united in marriage to Virgil R. Hein on March 19, 1950 in Hutchinson. He preceded her in death on May 2, 1996.
Darlene and Virgil owned and operated Haven Ford in Haven. She worked twelve years as the utility clerk for the City of Buhler, where she retired.
Darlene is survived by daughters, Kay (Dar) Holden of Hutchinson, and Jean Ediger of Hutchinson; stepson, John (Patricia) Thomas of West Linn, OR; brother, John Ratzlaff of Buhler; granddaughter, Kelsey (Frank) Hartman of Council Grove, and their children, Colson, Hudson, and Lawson; and step grandchildren, Georgianna Githens, Gail Kocher, Victor Kocher, Michelle Jewett, Michael Fiorello, Michelle Fiorello, and Danielle Azari.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son, Randal Hein; and brother, Herbert Ratzlaff.
Cremation is planned with a celebration of life service to be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Buhler Mennonite Church. Services will be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/BuhlerMennoniteChurch. Private burial will take place at Buhler Municipal Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Buhler Mennonite Church or Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community in care of Buhler Mortuary, PO Box 589, Buhler, KS 67522.