Darlene Kay (Desair) Marcotte, of Plainville, KS, passed away on January 19, 2026, at Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, Kansas, at the age of 78.
Darlene was born on September 21, 1947, to Adelore and Fern (Bush) Desair on the family farm in Rural Graham County, Kansas. She grew up in Palco, Kansas and graduated from Palco High School in 1965. She completed one year of college in Omaha and spent much of her life working as a waitress and homemaker. She also ran the DK Diner in Plainville.
On April 19, 1975, she married James Leo Marcotte at St. Ann Catholic Church in Zurich, Kansas. They were blessed with two children, Sean and Jamie.
Darlene was an avid bowler and took great pride in competing at both state and national levels. She especially enjoyed spending time at 183 Lanes in Stockton and participating in local bowling leagues in Plainville and Stockton. She also enjoyed art, particularly drawing, as well as collecting jewelry and baking. As a baker, she was especially well known for her pies and cinnamon rolls, talents she shared generously with family and friends.
Darlene found joy in the simple pleasures of life, including drinking Coca-Cola, watching NCIS, and playing bingo. A woman of strong faith, she was a devoted member of St. Ann Catholic Church and its Sodality in Zurich, Kansas. She was also an active member of the Solomon Valley Antique and Machinery Association.
Darlene will be remembered for her creativity, competitive spirit, generous heart, and the warmth she shared with family, friends, and her community.
Darlene is survived by her children: Sean (Kim) Marcotte of Damar, KS and Jamie Marcotte of Kansas City, KS; siblings, Jeanette Roy of Stockton, Geraldine Roy of Aurora, CO, Claude Desair of Palco, Connie Fisher of Bland, MO, and Ronnie Desair of WaKeeney, KS; three grandchildren: Kedra (Andrew) Dopita, Kiley (Eric) Pfeifer, and Kirsten (Ethan Hamilton) Marcotte; four great-grandchildren: Karly, Kason and Kaley Dopita, and Kohen Pfeifer; and grand-dogs, Tank and Toby.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; sister-in-law, DeeAnn Desair; brothers-in-law, Joe Roy, Allan Roy, and Gary Fisher; and her beloved dog, Sadie.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 10AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Burial will follow at the St. Ann Catholic Cemetery in Zurich. Visitation will be on Thursday, 5-7PM, with the family receiving friends 6:30 until the Vigil and Rosary Service at 7PM, all at the funeral home in Plainville.
Memorials are suggested to High Plains Humane Society and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com