Darlene Lea Dryden

Darlene Lea Dryden, 78, was called home peacefully on July 10, 2026. She was born on April 7, 1948 in Smith Center, KS, and was the daughter of Clifford E. and Edna Thomas. They raised her on a farm in Woodston, KS on the land with the famed "Big Thomas Barn".

Her Beautiful Life and Legacy

She graduated High School in Woodston, KS in 1966 and completed Business College in Wichita the following year. She then met James Dryden from Plainville, KS, at a dance where he saw her dancing barefoot and asked her to join him. Afterwards, she told a friend, "I'm probably going to marry him." They wed on Sept. 9, 1968 and went on to share 58 years, 3 children, love, laughter, and to build fond memories with friends and family. Together they launched business ventures, tackled DIY home projects, trekked through the wild with camper and fishing poles, and wandered off on outdoor vacations, delighting in nature’s beauty.

Blessed with quick wit, numerous talents, and people skills, Darlene worked in sales, office management, head cook roles, bartending, and finished her career cooking for the Plainville Sr. Center. As a tractor-cab sales rep she knew even the tiniest parts, and customers requested her for her expertise.

Her Gifts and Presence

Her dad and uncles taught her electrical wiring, how to build and fix things, and the importance of laughter at the end of the day. Her mom taught her how to churn butter, garden, be a friend, and have her own mind. Her life was enriched by growing up on the farm during a time when Saturday meant “going to town” to buy their weekly goods, play community baseball (without gloves), and roller skate.

Her artistry expressed itself in exceptional penmanship, sketches and amazing cooking. Family and friends cherished her easy laugh, soothing presence, carefree conversation, hospitable kitchen, and the way she lingered at the dining table with guests while sharing simple chats that calmed a soul and made strangers feel like kin. She said “humor diffuses tension” and everyone loved her for her authentic smile, sweetness, non-pretentious ways, and well-timed one-liners. Her simplicity, calm spirit, and authentic nature brought a quiet peace to those around her. She had a way of making people feel at ease accepted, and free to simply be themselves.

Cherished Family

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, James Dryden, Jewell, KS; her children, Greg Dryden [Sarah Dryden] of Pacific, MO, and their daughter Andrea Dryden; Sherry Benge [Robert Benge] of Homosassa, FL and her sons Cody and Trevor Marihugh; and Michele Brummer [Mark Brummer] of Beloit, KS, and her children Corey Clark, Tara Nichols, Michael Payton, Britain Payton, Danielle Payton. Eight grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren affectionately know her as “Meme”.

Service Details

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beloit, KS on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 10AM followed by a burial service at Elwood Cemetery (1240 N. Poplar St., Beloit, KS), then a reception at Knights of Columbus Hall (123 W. Court St) in Beloit, KS.

Memorials

Memorial contributions are suggested to Catholic Charities of Salina, which Darlene cherished; and may be sent to Roberts Family Funeral Home (910 N. Campbell Ave.) in Beloit, KS or brought to Mass.

For flowers, please contact either ‘Wheat Fields Floral’ or “Given Grace Floral and Décor” both in Beloit.