Services will be held March 2 at Central Christian Church in Jefferson for Darlene June Hoskins, 87, of Jefferson.
The Rev J. Alexander, pastor of the church, will offer words of comfort. Gary Haupert will be soloist, accompanied by Rita Rasmussen. Honorary bearers will be Jaimee Mower, Becci Butcher, David Hoskins, Jeremy Hoskins, Amanda Burbank, Dawn Tingwald, Curtis Hoskins, Rachel Haupert, Stacy Mark, Michael Hoskins and Molly Cunningham.
Darlene June (Middleton) Hoskins, a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and dear friend, peacefully passed away on February 27, 2024, at the age of 87 years. She was born March 1, 1936, in Guthrie County to Carl & Zetta (Ford) Middleton, and was one of 13 children.
Darlene married Wendell Hoskins on Oct. 7, 1956, at the Central Christian Church in Jefferson. Over the years, they were blessed with four children: Gary, Craig, Sheri, and Kevin. They enjoyed life on the family farm east of town for more than 34 years. Darlene and Wendell moved into their current home in Jefferson in 1994.
Her love knew no bounds, especially when it came to her family. Her greatest joy in life was spoiling her 11 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren and eagerly anticipating the arrival of one more! Her caring nature extended beyond her family, evident in her dedication to cooking for the community, most notably as the Director of Food Services for Jefferson-Scranton Community Schools. Her love for her school kids was evident, ensuring everyone felt cared for during their time under her watch. Even after retiring, she continued the hospitality by preparing home-cooked meals for her grandchildren and their friends. Darlene embraced her role as an extended mother and grandmother to all, providing love and care to those beyond her immediate family. Her kitchen was a place of warmth and abundance, ensuring no one left hungry in her presence.
Outside of her professional life, Darlene found joy in the outdoors, always tending to her beautiful flowers and yard, with a true passion for mowing and pulling weeds. Over the years, she loved hosting nieces, nephews, friends and neighbor kids on the farm, teaching them valuable life-skills like driving, walking beans, baling hay, tending to livestock, and canning vegetables from the garden. In her later years, she cherished time with friends over coffee, always eager to share the latest news.
Her legacy of love, generosity, and friendship will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Darlene is survived by her husband Wendell; four children and their spouses, Gary & Kathi Hoskins of Jefferson, Craig & Jody Hoskins of Rippey, Sheri & David Haupert of Jefferson, and Kevin and Deb Hoskins of Jefferson; grandchildren Jaimee (Kyle) Mower, Becci (Jake) Butcher, David (Tansie) Hoskins, Jeremy (Erin Murphy) Hoskins, Amanda (Brett Cranston) Burbank, Dawn (Garrett) Tingwald, Curtis (Caitlyn Day) Hoskins, Rachel Haupert, Stacy (Tyler) Mark, Michael (Cody) Hoskins, and Molly (Anthony) Cunningham; and 23 great-grandchildren, with one on the way. Also surviving are her brothers Ralph Middleton, Norman Middleton, and Vernon Middleton; her sisters Rita Dunivan, Reva Owen, Maureen Franks, and Sharon Wortman; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents Carl and Zetta Middleton, siblings preceding her in death are brothers Dwight Middleton, Robert Middleton, and Lyle Middleton; and sisters Melba Wilcox and Betty Ann Jones.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jefferson Public Library or Central Christian Church in Darlene’s memory.
Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home and Cremation Care, Jefferson.
