Darlene McLane, 86, passed away peacefully in Aurora, Colorado on October 19, 2026.

Darlene was born on February 15, 1940 in Mitchell, Nebraska to Henry and Elizabeth Frances (Youngs) Barthuly. She grew up in Kimball then Scottsbluff before her family returned to Mitchell. She later attended Chadron State College where she met her husband John McLane. The two were married in 1959 and together had three sons, Jeff, Greg, and Andy.

Being a mother and raising her three boys was the most important role in Darlene’s life. In 1970, the family moved to Gering, Nebraska, where they lived for the next 13 years. Those were busy years for Darlene as she raised her sons and supported them in the many activities that came with growing up. She was a familiar presence at their sporting events, watching and cheering them on through years of football, wrestling, and baseball. In 1983, the family moved from Gering to Ogallala, Nebraska.

Throughout her adult life, Darlene worked in the offices of several dentists, handling the day-to-day responsibilities of a dental office. While her work was an important part of her life, her primary focus was always her family and raising her sons.

Darlene and John’s marriage ended in 1985 and Darlene returned to Mitchell. After rekindling a relationship with Dale Stiver, whom she had known from her hometown of Mitchell, she moved to Spring Valley, California, to be with Dale. Darlene and Dale subsequently married and shared many years together in Spring Valley.

In 2010, Darlene and Dale moved to Aurora, Colorado, to be closer to family. It was another move that reflected something that remained constant throughout Darlene’s life—the importance of being close to the people she loved.

Darlene had a good sense of humor and enjoyed the simple things in life. Her love of sports continued when cheering for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the San Diego Padres, and then the Colorado Rockies.

Her family remained at the center of Darlene’s life. She is lovingly remembered by those she cherished. Her sons, Jeff McLane Greg McLane, Andy McLane (Stacy Evans); her grandsons Sawyer McLane, Austin Evans, Doug Stiver and granddaughters Molly McLane, Lela McLane, and Ashlynn (Evans) Bruch; and her sister, Hanke Schneider of Phoenix, Arizona.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Elizabeth Frances; her brother, Ron Barthuly; and her brother-in-law, Fred Schneider.

Darlene will be remembered for her sense of humor, her devotion to her family, and the pride she took in her children and grandchildren. For Jeff, Greg, and Andy, many memories of their mother will always be connected to the years she spent raising them, supporting them, and cheering them on from the sidelines. From Mitchell to Chadron, Gering, Ogallala, Spring Valley, and finally Aurora, each place represented another chapter in her life and in the story of her family. Her family will carry those memories with them in the years ahead.

In keeping with Darlene’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no memorial service will be held.