Darlene Jean Kroeger, age 91, of Hays, Kansas passed away Friday, May 2, 2025, at Hays Medical Center. She was born January 6, 1934, in Ellis, Kansas to John J. and Katie (Lang) Augustine. Darlene graduated from Ellis High School and on August 21, 1954, she married Ernest “Ernie” Kroeger at St. Mary’s Church in Ellis.
Darlene was a co-owner of Ernie’s Pro Hardware in Hill City and while living in Hill City she also worked for the USD 281 Board office. After moving to Hays, she was an office manager at Alco and volunteered at the Community Assistance Center. She enjoyed embroidery work, and volunteering as needed. Darlene and Ernie especially enjoyed spending time together antiquing, attending Fort Hays State University Basketball games which they were long time season ticket holders as well as their trips to do mission work every year at St. Paul’s Church in Crown Point, New Mexico. She was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Hays, Daughters of Isabella and the Ladies Guild.
Darlene is survived by her husband, Ernie of Hays; three daughters, Lynette Wasinger and husband Jerry of Hays, LouWayne Davidson and husband Rick of Hays and Lori Newell and husband Galen of Wichita; two sisters, Sheila Fabrick of Minnesota and Joyce Schmidt of Manhattan, Kansas; grandchildren, Joel Wasinger and Blake Wasinger and wife Teresa, Ben, Brett and Bryce Davidson, Chris Newell and wife Kara and Nicole Mannion and husband Alex as well as her great grandchildren, Maddison and Matthew Wasinger, Owen, Sadie, Kennedy and Hayden Newell, Brayden, Hadley and Avery Mannion.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be May 19th at 10:30 AM at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Hays. Inurnment will follow at 2:00 PM in the Kansas State Veterans' Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas.
Memorial visitation will be Monday, May 19th 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM with a D of I rosary service at 10:00 AM all at the church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Nicholas of Myra Church, St. Paul's Church in Crown Point, New Mexico or The American Diabetes Association
Please share memories on Darlene's tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com.
Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory-Brock’s Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.