Darline Hutfles
May 19, 1932 — November 16, 2016
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Baalmann Mortuary - Colby
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Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery - Colby
Darline Hutfles
Darline Barbara Arnold Hutfles passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on Nov. 16, 2016, from Multiple Myeloma in the Colby Citizens Medical Center. The eldest of nine children, she was born in the family home on May 19, 1932 in Seguin, KS to Simon and Aldea Plante Arnold.
During the Great Depression years, she attended grade schools in Damar, Portis, and the Old Sheridan County School located between Hoxie, Seldon and Leoville. In 1950, she graduated from Leoville High School, which was at a time when many girls did not graduate from high school and were married at age 16. She received a four-year college scholarship to Marymount College in Salina to become a teacher, but she was unable to attend because her family needed her help at home. Later in life, Darline would continue her education through classes at Colby Community College. She loved to read, and was a life-long learner and teacher to her children and others.
On September 8, 1953 she married Gerald (Jerry) Hutfles of Herndon, KS. They were married for 63 years and had nine children. Darline was a devoted wife and mother, who took great joy in sewing and cooking for her large family. She always had a large vegetable and flower garden, and spent long hours baking and canning the produce. In 1980, when her last child was in school, she became a cook at the Sacred Heart School cafeteria.
She loved to sing and played the piano, organ, and guitar. At her insistence, all of her children learned at least one musical instrument. As they grew older, she would take them to local nursing homes to play for the residents while she directed and sang along.
Darline was an active volunteer in her Catholic parish of Sacred Heart Church until she became too ill. She was a song leader, Religious Education Instructor, Eucharistic Minister, member and past Regent of the Daughters of Isabella, Queen Mary Altar Society, and co-founding member of the Handmaiden Prayer Group. She was a community volunteer with League of Women Voters and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Colby. Her pro-life efforts included manning the Birthright and later the Emergency Pregnancy Services (EPS) office where she answered phones and trained counselors, stored baby clothes, and gave callers information on alternatives to abortion. She was instrumental in bringing Hospice to Thomas County after she learned of the organization. She hosted bake sales and Hospice information booths at the Thomas County Fair to earn funds to begin offering area services. She was a Hospice area coordinator and later when asked to serve on the Hospice Board of Directors she humbly declined, knowing her skills were best used to serve others behind the scenes.
She is survived by her husband and their nine children: Mary (Rick) Bell, Helena, MT; Bob (Patty) Hutfles, Dillon, MT; Ron (Dena) Hutfles, Salina, KS; Tim (Amy) Hutfles, Colby, KS; Gerrianne (Alan) Bray, Calgary, Canada; Annette (Rob) Boardman, Fremont, CA; Jackie (Roger) McAsey, Holton, KS; Richard (Amy) Hutfles, Kechi, KS; and Larry (Cindy) Hutfles, Park City, KS; 30 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her eight siblings: Chuck Arnold, Plainville, KS; Jim (Adeline) Arnold, Colby, KS; Donna (Ron) Sis, McCook, NE; Pat (Jim) Prochazka, Atwood, KS; Bertha (Kenny) Brungardt, Victoria, KS; Pauline (Kenny) Micek, Atwood, KS; Pauletta (Ray) Gerver, McCook, NE; and Geralda (Jim) Keith, Hill City, KS; and a large group of beloved godchildren, nieces and nephews.
Public viewing is Friday, Nov. 18th from 5 to 7 at Baalmann Mortuary; with the vigil beginning at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held Sat, Nov. 19th at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Colby, with internment to follow immediately at Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to NW Kansas Foundation for Hope (NWKS-HOPE@st-tel.net) or to Sacred Heart Church in Colby in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Darline’s family wishes to thank the caring staff at the Family Center for Health Care, Citizens Medical Center and Brian Unruh, PA-C.
During the Great Depression years, she attended grade schools in Damar, Portis, and the Old Sheridan County School located between Hoxie, Seldon and Leoville. In 1950, she graduated from Leoville High School, which was at a time when many girls did not graduate from high school and were married at age 16. She received a four-year college scholarship to Marymount College in Salina to become a teacher, but she was unable to attend because her family needed her help at home. Later in life, Darline would continue her education through classes at Colby Community College. She loved to read, and was a life-long learner and teacher to her children and others.
On September 8, 1953 she married Gerald (Jerry) Hutfles of Herndon, KS. They were married for 63 years and had nine children. Darline was a devoted wife and mother, who took great joy in sewing and cooking for her large family. She always had a large vegetable and flower garden, and spent long hours baking and canning the produce. In 1980, when her last child was in school, she became a cook at the Sacred Heart School cafeteria.
She loved to sing and played the piano, organ, and guitar. At her insistence, all of her children learned at least one musical instrument. As they grew older, she would take them to local nursing homes to play for the residents while she directed and sang along.
Darline was an active volunteer in her Catholic parish of Sacred Heart Church until she became too ill. She was a song leader, Religious Education Instructor, Eucharistic Minister, member and past Regent of the Daughters of Isabella, Queen Mary Altar Society, and co-founding member of the Handmaiden Prayer Group. She was a community volunteer with League of Women Voters and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Colby. Her pro-life efforts included manning the Birthright and later the Emergency Pregnancy Services (EPS) office where she answered phones and trained counselors, stored baby clothes, and gave callers information on alternatives to abortion. She was instrumental in bringing Hospice to Thomas County after she learned of the organization. She hosted bake sales and Hospice information booths at the Thomas County Fair to earn funds to begin offering area services. She was a Hospice area coordinator and later when asked to serve on the Hospice Board of Directors she humbly declined, knowing her skills were best used to serve others behind the scenes.
She is survived by her husband and their nine children: Mary (Rick) Bell, Helena, MT; Bob (Patty) Hutfles, Dillon, MT; Ron (Dena) Hutfles, Salina, KS; Tim (Amy) Hutfles, Colby, KS; Gerrianne (Alan) Bray, Calgary, Canada; Annette (Rob) Boardman, Fremont, CA; Jackie (Roger) McAsey, Holton, KS; Richard (Amy) Hutfles, Kechi, KS; and Larry (Cindy) Hutfles, Park City, KS; 30 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her eight siblings: Chuck Arnold, Plainville, KS; Jim (Adeline) Arnold, Colby, KS; Donna (Ron) Sis, McCook, NE; Pat (Jim) Prochazka, Atwood, KS; Bertha (Kenny) Brungardt, Victoria, KS; Pauline (Kenny) Micek, Atwood, KS; Pauletta (Ray) Gerver, McCook, NE; and Geralda (Jim) Keith, Hill City, KS; and a large group of beloved godchildren, nieces and nephews.
Public viewing is Friday, Nov. 18th from 5 to 7 at Baalmann Mortuary; with the vigil beginning at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held Sat, Nov. 19th at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Colby, with internment to follow immediately at Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to NW Kansas Foundation for Hope (NWKS-HOPE@st-tel.net) or to Sacred Heart Church in Colby in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Darline’s family wishes to thank the caring staff at the Family Center for Health Care, Citizens Medical Center and Brian Unruh, PA-C.
Past Services
Service Information
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Colby
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