Darlene L. Paus

Darlene L. Paus, 89, of Hastings, formerly of Glenvil, died on Monday, March 12, 2018 at Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings. Memorial services will be on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenvil. Pastor Rob Garton will officiate and burial will follow at the Glenvil Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Immanuel Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be submitted by visiting www.hlmkfuneral.com. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements. Darlene Louisa Paus began her journey on August 5, 1928, at Spring Ranch, Nebraska, the third child of George Paus and Dora (Riese) Paus. She joined older brother, Alvin, and sister, Lillian. Five years later, her sister Vera would be welcomed into the family. She was baptized on August 11th at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenville, the church she would have fellowship with throughout her life. She was confirmed in April 1941 by Rev. E. C. Meyer, the same pastor that had baptized her 13 years earlier. During her years at Immanuel Lutheran, she belonged to Old Luther League Group, was a member of the council, a Sunday school teacher, and a WELCA Circle member. She was a strong woman and even through all the trials of her life--ovarian cancer, chronic back pain and other health problems--she always maintained her faith in God. Darlene and her siblings grew up on the farm in Spring Ranch. She attended elementary school at Spring Ranch School District #3; and graduated from Glenville High School in 1946 as co-valedictorian of her class. Following in her sister Lillian’s footsteps, she taught country school at Eureka School District #59 in Spring Ranch Township during the 1946-47 school year. Although she loved art, her father thought she should pursue a career in education, so she enrolled at Hastings College where she graduated with Cum Laude honors in 1953. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in elementary education; but she continued her love of art through drawing, painting, and needlework in her spare time. She was a member of the Travel Club while at Hastings College, and during her lifetime traveled to Germany, Great Britain, France, Canada and many locations in the United States, with friends and family. Darlene taught school for 40 years, 31 of those years at Fairfield. In 1973 she was selected to receive a national award for Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America. She was one of five teachers in the United States chosen to receive the honor that year. Darlene never married and had children of her own. Instead, she had hundreds of students that touched her life as well as her being an influence on theirs. The professional bonds Darlene built with her fellow teachers proved to be the most treasured friendships of her life. She retired from teaching in 1988. Her journey has come to an end, and she is home at last. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Alvin Paus; sister, Vera Ridgeway; and nephew, Scott Ridgeway. She is survived by her sister, Lillian Peshek, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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Darlene L. Paus

August 5, 1928 - March 12, 2018