Darlene B. Sweeney passed away peacefully on Monday, March 6, 2017 at the age of 92. She was a resident of Colorado Springs for 53 years. She was born May 8, 1924 in New Cambria, Kansas to parents Ruth and William Andrews and was one of 4 children. She was raised on a farm and attended a rural one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade. She liked to tell the story of how she and her brother would make the trip to and from the school in a horse-drawn buggy. She graduated from Salina High School in Salina, Kansas, attended Brown Mackie Business College, also in Salina, then worked for the local Bell Telephone Company for several years.
In 1948, Darlene married Leonard F. Sweeney in McPherson, Kansas and moved around Kansas and Nebraska until they finally settled again in Salina. In 1964, Leonard’s employment brought them to Colorado Springs where he was in charge of the construction project for the military housing at Peterson Air Force Base. Darlene worked in retail at Duckwalls in Rustic Hills Mall, and at The Denver in the Citadel Mall. Her hobbies included gardening (both vegetables and flowers), cooking, baking, and quilting. She always had beautiful flower gardens.
Darlene had 3 children: Judy (Jerry) Peterson of St. George, Utah, Marilyn (David) Hostetler of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Janet (Gary) Valko of Parker, Colorado. She has 7 grandchildren: Jerilyn (Brook) Millard, Jennifer (Shaun) McIntire, Jason Peterson, Casey (Brenda) Hostetler, Corey Hostetler, Christopher (Tabitha) Valko, and Jenna Valko. She also has 9 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, both parents, 2 brothers, and an infant sister.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Residence at Village Green for all of the wonderful care that Darlene received during her stay there. We are forever grateful for your kindness and support.
No services are planned at this time.