Ruth Darlene Brumbaugh, 96, the daughter of Erma (Kaufman) and Henry A. Brooks, was born Dec. 12, 1926, on the farm south of Guide Rock. She died May 5, 2023, at the Heritage Care Center in Red Cloud.

A lifelong resident of Webster County, Darlene received her formal education attending rural schools and graduated from the Guide Rock High School with the Class of 1944, with a certificate in normal training and then taught rural school in the Guide Rock area. Darlene was united in marriage with Hugh Eugene Brumbaugh on April 4, 1947, at her parents’ home in Guide Rock. This union was blessed with four children, Curtis, Sue, Craig and Ronald. They made their home on two different farms south of Guide Rock before moving south of Red Cloud in February 1954. In 2000, they moved into town.

Darlene was involved in several civic and community activities including working at the Elm Street food site for several years and served as Sunday School superintendent at the Congregational Church. In her leisure time she pursued a variety of interests and activities. She enjoyed playing the piano, working in her garden, playing a game of croquet in the yard, working crossword puzzles or playing a game of Uno. Her greatest love and appreciation in life was for her family and the time they had together.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Gene on Aug. 17, 2005; her daughter, Sue Lucas; a sister, Isla June Armstrong; and her brother, John “Bud” Brooks.

Survivors are her children: Curt Brumbaugh, Craig Brumbaugh and Ronald Brumbaugh; her grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 12, at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud with the Rev. Gary Bennett officiating. Interment will be at the Guide Rock Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p,m., today (Thursday) at the funeral home.