Darlene M. Roehrig

Darlene M. Roehrig

April 1, 1930 – August 9, 2020

Darlene Roehrig was born on April 1, 1930 to William and Evangeline Smith in Omaha, Nebraska.  Darlene has three sisters: Dorene, Delores, and Dorthea.  The family grew up on South 13^th Street.  Darlene graduated from Central High School in 1948.  At that time, she worked for a Laundry Service.

Darlene met Henry through friends at the Roller Bowl on Leavenworth Street.  If you asked her, she would say she went out with him because she liked his fancy black convertible.  They got married a year later, on August 27, 1949.  The following year, Kathy was born.  Henry had to report for navy duty to serve in the Korean War when Kathy was one month old.  Darlene’s sister, Dorthea moved in to help her with the new baby.  She would walk with the stroller to Jones Street to visit with Henry’s siblings, Tony, Louise, and Jeanette.

Henry returned home a year later, and they had 3 more children, Pat, Jean, and Denise.  Darlene had converted to Catholicism and they were parishioners of St. Peters Catholic Church on 27^th and Leavenworth, where all the children attended grade school.

Darlene’s dad William moved in with the family before Denise was born and helped Darlene while Henry was at work.  William lived with the family until he moved to Saint Catherine’s Nursing home.

Henry and Darlene enjoyed playing cards with the neighbors.  Family car rides became a Sunday treat.  We all looked forward to our annual family vacations.

Darlene finally learned to drive, getting her license when she was 38.  She worked at Food Services at UNO with her sisters-in-law, Louise and Jeanette.  They pretended not to be related, as that was not allowed.

Darlene was blessed with 8 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.  They were active chauffeurs in transporting grandchildren and thoroughly enjoyed attending their activities.  Weekend Big Red Football games was a must!

In 2002, Darlene lost Henry, her life-long partner.  She was actively involved in the lives of her children and their families, whether it was shopping, ball games, road trips, making cookies, or bringing food to the fire station for Pat.  She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sibling.

In 2013, Darlene could no longer live alone in her home and moved to an Assisted Living Facility.  She spent her last 6 months of her life in isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Darlene is survived by her 4 children: Kathy (Allan), Pat (Kim), Jean (Robert), and Denise (D. J.); 7 grandchildren: Brandi (Mike), Timothy (Melissa), Randy (Ashlee), Kelli (Abby), Joseph (Jennifer), Kyla (Amy), and Justin (Nicole); 18 great-grandchildren: Samantha, Stephanie, Haileigh, Tyler, Henry, Ashton, Gabe, Jaxson, Aubrey, Susan, Jameson, Jaden, Jordan, Marley, Jacen, Madalyn, Indigo, and Mac; brother-in-law, Arthur Laursen; and a host of relatives, friends, and many nieces and nephews.

Darlene was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Henry; grandson, Chadron; and 3 sisters.

Private Family Services.  Memorials will be directed by the family.

To view a video of the Mass, go to our website and click the service link in the obituary of Darlene any time after 3pm on Thursday.