Darlene Werner

Darlene Jean Werner, 89, of Jackson went to her heavenly home Monday, May 27, 2024, at the hospice unit of Lutheran Home.

Darlene Werner

Darlene was born, the oldest of five children, to Oswald Frederick Leimbach and Flora Leuders on May 20, 1935. She was born in the family farmhouse in Wittenberg.

She attended grade school on the Ridge for five years, then finished grade school and second year of high school in Altenburg and graduated from Perryville High School. She graduated from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in 1956, and worked for the Perryville hospital.

Darlene was baptized, confirmed and married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altenburg. On Aug. 23, 1957, Darlene married Ervin W. Werner, son of Otto Friedrich and Wilhelmina Christina Baer Werner. They moved to Monrovia, California, where Darlene attended First Lutheran Church and was very active in church work. She loved being a "petal pusher", helping decorate the Lutheran Hour Ministries float entry for the Tournament of Roses Parade. Darlene worked for Methodist Hospital of Southern California in Arcadia as a registered nurse.

During her 30 years of employment, she continued her education while working a full-time job and being a dedicated wife and mother. She retired as the vice president of nursing. Darlene was a loving, caring person who loved helping others. This was evident throughout her nursing career. Her legacy was promoting and protecting patient care at the hospital. She was loved and respected by her colleagues and staff. There are a number of people who said they chose a nursing career because of Darlene’s example.

After retiring from Methodist Hospital, Darlene worked five years at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center as a nurse. She was passionate about everything she did. She also sold Mary Kay cosmetics and was very successful.

After retirement, Darlene and Ervin moved to Jackson in 1996. They were active members of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Darlene was so grateful for being born to and raised by a Christian family. Her faith and family were No. 1 to her. She loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She was always listening to hymns on her Bose radio and singing along with every song.

Darlene volunteered at both Southeast and Saint Francis hospitals and the county health department. She served on the Southeast Hospital Auxiliary Board, did Stephen Ministry at Saint Francis Hospital and belonged to Concordia Guild Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

Loving survivors include her husband of 66 years, Ervin Werner of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Mark (Annette) Werner of Jackson and Kevin (Lory) Werner of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; daughter, Patty (Mike) Main of Jackson; brother, Gary D. (Sulu) Leimbach of Riverbank, California; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Laverne Petzoldt; and brothers, Harold D. and Russel J. Leimbach.

The visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, May 31, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

The Rev. Joshua Schmidt will conduct the funeral at 11 a.m. Friday, May 31, at the church. A private burial will take place at a later date.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests St. Paul Lutheran Church.

McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall above Darlene’s obituary at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.