Mildred “Darlene” Farrar
Dec. 25, 1933 – Feb. 17, 2020
TOPEKA — Mildred “Darlene” Farrar, Auburn, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, at Aldersgate Village Nursing Home, Topeka. She was 86.
She was born Dec. 25, 1933, east of Carbondale, on the family farm, the daughter of Floyd “Pete” Vail and Wilma Coultis Vail. Darlene grew up in the Carbondale area, graduating from Carbondale High School with the class of 1951. She also lived in Wakarusa and later moved to Auburn.
Darlene worked as a certified nurse’s assistant for 18 years at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook.
She was a member of the Overbrook Christian Church. She spent many hours over the years volunteering for various church activities, but especially in the church kitchen helping cook many meals for the congregation. She also loved to sew and make quilts. She spent many hours gardening and canning. She was your quintessential country grandma, always cooking something fresh and never afraid of hard work.
She married Dallas Farrar July 2, 1971, in Topeka. He preceded her in death in 1983.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.
Darlene is survived by a daughter, Deborah Lynn Snyder and Doug Smoot., Clifton; two brothers, Dale Vail, Topeka, and Darrell Vail, Topeka; a granddaughter, Christine House and Ryun Bayless, Topeka; three great grandchildren, Cole House and Mariah Cochran, Noah Bayless and Meah Bayless; a great-great granddaughter, Izabell House; five stepsons; three stepdaughters; and numerous step-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 21, at Carbondale Cemetery, Carbondale.
Memorial contributions may be made to Interim Hospice and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524.
Condolences may be expressed at www.lamb-roberts.com.