Darlene M. Sowers, 85, of Atchison, KS died Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services will be 10:30 am on Saturday, July 30th, 2016 at the Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Robert Ziegler officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Atchison KS.  The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Friday, July 29th, 2016 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Trinity Lutheran School Technology Endowment Fund or Trinity Lutheran Church Buildings and Grounds Endowment Fund and may be sent in care of the funeral home.  Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Darlene was born on Sept. 8, 1930 in Atchison Kansas the daughter of Cecil B. and Genevieve (Roberts) Lesher. She graduated from Atchison High School in 1948. Darlene worked as a waitress at the former American Legion and then at Randall’s, as a secretary for Commerce Acceptance before becoming the Trinity Lutheran Church Secretary. She retired in Sept. 2015 after 47 years as the church’s secretary. Darlene was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, was a Kennedy Caller, attended many TEAM Classes, 55 Plus, sang in the church choir and for weddings and funerals, was a member of the Hand Bell Choir, the Jaycee Jane’s, and Atchison Follies, was a former Brownie and Cub Scout leader, member of the Trinity Lutheran School PTL, and was Trinity Lutheran Church Red Cross Blood Drive Chairman for many years. She enjoyed playing bridge and attending the Theater Atchison.

Darlene was married to Gerald A. Sowers on June 12, 1949 at the Trinity Lutheran Church parsonage.  Gerald preceded her in death on Jan. 14, 1999. Survivors include a son Steven A. Sowers (Bob Paul), Washington, DC  three daughters, Connie (David) Schneider, Atchison, KS, Jeannie Truman, Kansas City, KS, and Denise(Roger) Wildberger, Gower, MO, seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.  Her parents, husband, and brother, Ted Lesher preceded her in death.