Obituary for Darlene Kleinheider
Darlene Marie Kleinheider, age 53, of Jefferson City, Mo, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at her home.
She was born on August 28, 1969, in Washington, Mo., a daughter of Claude Henry Albert and Roberta Marie (Brueggemann) Kruse.
Darlene was a 1987 graduate of Union High School in Union, Mo. and later attended the Bauder Fashion College in Arlington, Texas.
Darlene, along with her daughter, Kate, called many states “home” over the years. She had a love for children and deep compassion for physically and mentally disabled individuals, so her time spent working in daycare and childhood education as well as her time with Emmaus Homes truly fulfilled her soul. She also worked in Factory line positions as well as government data entry in various capacities in Missouri, Arizona, Maine and Illinois.
As a child, Darlene enjoyed family trips to the state fair where it was an annual event to watch the pig races, complete with family t-shirts. She grew up working on the farm and tending to her chores. Being a product of the country, Darlene was proud to be a skilled markswoman who could outshoot all the boys. She had a natural love for animals even as a young girl which continued into adulthood. She had a soft spot for dogs and adopted many throughout her life. She was passionate about volunteering and offered her time to various animal related entities and the Special Olympics. Darlene loved dogs so much she even ran 5K races to raise funds for local shelters and donated regularly. She enjoyed traveling, and got to travel out of the country to Germany in high school. She later shared the travel bug with her daughter, and together they visited New York and road tripped to California, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas bonding as mother and daughter. Darlene was a lover of Halloween and spooky décor with a morbid sense of humor. She was an ornery woman who was set in her ways and was never afraid to do anything but she housed the most genuine and giving heart in the world and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include: her daughter whom she fiercely loved, Kate Stanley (husband, Tim) of Elk Grove, Ill.; her mother, Roberta Kruse of Rhineland, Mo.; siblings Diane Gleeson (husband, Luke) of Rhineland, Mo. and Don Kruse (fiancée, Lori Rackers) of Union, Mo.; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and her grandkitty, Roxxxi.
Darlene’s family will be celebrating her life privately.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the donor’s local animal shelter.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
She was born on August 28, 1969, in Washington, Mo., a daughter of Claude Henry Albert and Roberta Marie (Brueggemann) Kruse.
Darlene was a 1987 graduate of Union High School in Union, Mo. and later attended the Bauder Fashion College in Arlington, Texas.
Darlene, along with her daughter, Kate, called many states “home” over the years. She had a love for children and deep compassion for physically and mentally disabled individuals, so her time spent working in daycare and childhood education as well as her time with Emmaus Homes truly fulfilled her soul. She also worked in Factory line positions as well as government data entry in various capacities in Missouri, Arizona, Maine and Illinois.
As a child, Darlene enjoyed family trips to the state fair where it was an annual event to watch the pig races, complete with family t-shirts. She grew up working on the farm and tending to her chores. Being a product of the country, Darlene was proud to be a skilled markswoman who could outshoot all the boys. She had a natural love for animals even as a young girl which continued into adulthood. She had a soft spot for dogs and adopted many throughout her life. She was passionate about volunteering and offered her time to various animal related entities and the Special Olympics. Darlene loved dogs so much she even ran 5K races to raise funds for local shelters and donated regularly. She enjoyed traveling, and got to travel out of the country to Germany in high school. She later shared the travel bug with her daughter, and together they visited New York and road tripped to California, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas bonding as mother and daughter. Darlene was a lover of Halloween and spooky décor with a morbid sense of humor. She was an ornery woman who was set in her ways and was never afraid to do anything but she housed the most genuine and giving heart in the world and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include: her daughter whom she fiercely loved, Kate Stanley (husband, Tim) of Elk Grove, Ill.; her mother, Roberta Kruse of Rhineland, Mo.; siblings Diane Gleeson (husband, Luke) of Rhineland, Mo. and Don Kruse (fiancée, Lori Rackers) of Union, Mo.; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and her grandkitty, Roxxxi.
Darlene’s family will be celebrating her life privately.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the donor’s local animal shelter.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.