Darlene June Ryschon daughter of Walter and Clara Copeland-Foster was born June 27, 1934 at Valentine. Darlene was the 10th child of a family of 11 and the last to survive of her family. She attended grade school at Kewanee and graduated from Valentine High School May of 1952. She attended summer school at Chadron State College for two summers earning a Rural Teacher Degree. Darlene taught District 52 for two terms. In June of 1954 she married the love of her life Maynard (Mick) Ryschon.
They worked on various ranches in the Burke, SD and Valentine areas. They were blessed with two children Gerald (Jerry) Joseph and Debra June. They bought a home in Valentine in 1962 and she worked as a wool presser at Davey’s & Ideal Cleaners for nine years. She was dental assist for Dr. Hartman for one year before he moved away. Darlene was employed at the Valentine Clinic as a receptionist for four doctors for 18 years. Darlene enjoyed loving and meeting people.
They sold their home in 1992 and moved to the Ryschon Homestead which had been in the family over 100 years. Darlene enjoyed her home in the country for 14 years until her husband Mick’s death in 2006. She moved to an apartment in Valentine for 2006-2017. She then moved to Cherry Hills Estates. Darlene always enjoyed writing, eventually writing the Story of Her Life and dedicated it to her children and grand children. She wrote many poems and memories about her parents, grandson Logan, six sisters and four brothers, and many nieces and nephews. This helped her through the loving absence of her family.
Darlene never complained of being lonely, just kept busy with her writings, family history, embroidering, cross-word puzzles and solitaire, reading daily the upper-room, and bible, Church and funeral committee, visiting friends at Pine View and Cherry Hills, hosting family dinners, game shows, and baking. She was a member of the Valentine United Methodist Church for over 70 years.
Darlene was proceeded in death by her parents, brothers, Darrel, Clair, Clem, Hugh and sisters, Minnie Woods, Mary Kluender, Irene Haase, Elsie Nagel, Ruth Frauen, and Janice Long, grandson, Logan DeVoogd.
She is survived by Jerry (Debra) Ryschon, Valentine, Debbie (Rick) DeVoogd, Marion, IA, grandchildren, Corrie Ellis, Rocky Face, GA Darcy Zach, Omaha, Lindsay (Craig) Frerichs, Omaha, Lanie (Justin) Schutz, Elwood, great grandchildren, Kayla and Annie Ellis, Ava, Jordyn, and Talon Frerichs, Davyn and Cameryn Zach. Tanner DeVoogd and Greyson Schutz, brother-in-law, Otto Frauen and sister-in-law, Martha Foster, many nieces and nephews whom she kept in touch with. They all knew she loved them dearly. Plus a host of great friends.
Services were held at the United Methodist Church in Valentine with burial following at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was in charge of the services.
