Darlene Sylvia Sieh was born July 6, 1926, the 5th of 6 children, to Reinhold and Hattie (Stahlecker) Mayer, at her parents farm northwest of Naper, Nebraska. She attended country school and graduated from Naper High School in 1943. She attended Wayne State College and taught country school for three years.

She was baptized and confirmed (1941) at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Naper. Her confirmation verse was John 8: 31-32. If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Darlene married Earl Sieh, March 26, 1948 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. They lived on a farm 10 miles northwest of Naper for 41 years. They were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Jamison, Nebraska. Two this union two children were born: Lynette Ann and Garlyn Earl. Earl and Darlene retired and moved to Burke in 1989.

Darlene was a farm wife; raising many chickens, made lye soap to wash clothes and took the cream and eggs to town on Wednesday and Saturday evenings to pay for the groceries. She was a great cook. She fed her family and friends many meals of fried chicken, homemade bread, mashed potato's and desserts. She was always collecting recipes. She used her Treadle sewing machine for all of her sewing. She made clothes for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She has sewn many quilts for her family and for missions. The day she went to the hospital she was trying to finish her last quilt. She was always concerned if she would have enough polyester material.

She was a member of the LWML at Immanuel Lutheran and the Kornia Bible study group. She had a strong faith in her Lord and relied on him for daily strength through her life situations.

Darlene loved the color "purple" and ice cream! She loved music and was an avid reader. She liked doing puzzles, playing cards and word games. She was always read to send a card or a letter to someone. She loved it when someone called her or when the mail came; hearing from a friend or reading the local newspaper always made her day.

Darlene's family was so important to her. She loved getting together for holidays and birthday celebrations. She made many holiday bingo cards for gatherings, using buttons from her button jar to put on squares.

Darlene and her husband Earl moved to Wayne, Nebraska in 2008, due to Earl's health problems. They lived with their daughter and husband until Earl's passing. Darlene moved back to her home she loved in Burke. Due to health problems, she moved back to Wayne in 2011.

Darlene was a very caring, loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister aunt and friend.

Survivors are her daughter, Lynette (Dick) Carmichael, Wayne, NE; son, Garlyn, Gregory, SD; grandchildren: Marla Carmichael, Wayne, NE; Kirk (Kristi) Carmichael, Norfolk, NE; Wade Carmichael-fiancé Joy Saunders, Norfolk, NE; Sarah Sieh, Gregory, SD; great-grandchildren: Brynn, Kyler and Brielle Carmichael and Griffin Saunders; two sisters: Leona Mayer, Boise, ID; and Iona Carstens, Norfolk, NE; nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Earl; daughter-in-law, Jean Sieh; brothers: Edwin and Clarence; her sister, Edna Broekemeier; brothers-in-law, Bill Broekemeier, Clarence Mayer, Alfred Boucher and Marlin Carstens; and sister-in-law, Sylvia Mayer.

Darlene fought the good fight, and now she has finished the race. She kept the faith and now there is in store for her a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to her on that day?not only to her, but also to ALL who have longed for his appearing. 2 Tim. 4:7-8

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 10:30 AM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.