Darlene (Dinkel) Braun age 83, of Victoria, Kansas, left to greet our Lord on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Hays Medical Center, after a brief illness. She was born February 18, 1942, in Hays, Kansas, to Andrew and Felicitas 'Flitz' (Hertel) Dinkel.
She was born the eldest to a twin sister, Marlene, and 11 years later they were given the gift of their baby brother, Floyd. She attended St. Mary’s Elementary School in Ellis, Kansas, and graduated from Ellis High School in the class of 1960. After graduation, she moved to Hays and worked at St. Anthony Hospital for two years and did some babysitting on the side for some very dear friends. It was through them that she met and fell in love with LaVern J. Braun of Victoria. They were married on May 4, 1963, at Ellis, Kansas, and moved to Victoria to work and raise a family. He preceded her in death on October 31, 2013.
This union blessed them with two ornery boys, Richard (Rick) and Terry. Darlene worked at St. John‘s Rest Home for 23 years as a cook, housekeeper, and as the office manager, where she met many wonderful staff, residents, and family members who became lifelong friends. But Darlene felt she needed a change, and in 1998, she opened the Hungry Haus Cafe in Victoria, where she provided home-cooked German meals and desserts until closing in Dec. of 2000. She then went to work at Sunflower Bank in Victoria where she worked as a teller until her retirement in May 2013. Darlene never knew a stranger and always greeted everyone with a smile and a story of how they knew each other.
Though she loved her work-family and friends, her true love was her own family. She was lucky enough to celebrate 50 years of marriage with LaVern, her best friend who always kept her on her toes. Together, they raised those two ornery boys into two hard working men who learned the value of prideful work and the willingness to jump in and help others when needed. They moved to the farm in 1979 where the boys began learning to live the life of the land by farming with their dad and grandparents.
Rick married Janice (Zerr) in 1985, and they were blessed with a daughter, Jenna, and son, Lane. Terry married Krista (Rathbun) in 1996, and they were blessed with two boys, Jacy and Walker. Darlene loved spending time with her grandchildren, and later, great-grandchildren, watching them in 4-H and sporting activities throughout their careers.
Of course, her favorite sport was football, and she was a proud Victoria Knights fan cheering in the stands for years. Even when she didn’t have grandchildren playing, that did not stop her from watching or listening to all the football games! Darlene was blessed with two great-grandsons, Gentry and Braxton Dempewolf, and adored all their hugs and kisses, but especially enjoyed sharing her Kindle with them for some fun Grammy screen-time. She was also blessed with one great-granddaughter, Gracie, who loves to smile, wave, and say, 'Hi Grammy!'
She is survived by her sons, Rick Braun and wife, Janice, Victoria, KS; Terry Braun and wife, Krista, Victoria, KS; her grandchildren, Jenna Dempewolf (Andrew), Gorham, KS; Lane Braun (Arrica), Victoria, KS; Walker Braun (Kayla), Victoria; KS; her great grandchildren, Gentry and Braxton Dempewolf; and Gracie Braun; her sisters-in-law, Pat Dinklel, WaKeeney, KS; Louise Robben, Victoria, KS; Rosie Dinkel, Victoria, KS; Doris Robben, Victoria, KS; and numerous caring nieces and nephews.
Darlene is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew J, and Felicitas Dinkel; her loving husband LaVern; her grandson, Jacy Braun; her infant twin brothers: her twin sister Marlene Dinkel and husband Leland; her brother Floyd Dinkel.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, October 25, 2025, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, 900 Cathedral Ave, Victoria, Kansas with Celebrants, Father John Schmeidler and Father Curtis Carlson O.F.M. Cap. Burial will be in St. Boniface Cemetery, Vincent, Kansas
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, all at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas.
A St. Boniface Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Friday, followed by a Vigil Service at 7:00 P.M. Friday, both at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas.
Darlene’s faith was always very important to her, and she spent many hours a day praying for family, friends, and people she never even met. Because of her strong faith, the family suggests memorials made payable to St. Boniface Catholic Church or Concerned Decendents of Vincent Cemetery Association or Masses in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.
Condolences can be emailed to [email protected] or left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com