Darlene Rose Robbins

Darlene Rose Robbins passed away on April 21, 2026, at the age of 87, at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. She leaves behind her daughter Charlene (Robbins) Leslie and her two sons Clay and Scott Robbins, as well as 4 grandchildren - Lee and Grant Leslie and Luke and Abby Robbins and 8 great-grandchildren.

Darlene was born on September 20, 1938, to Marie Bernarda “Bernice” Nagel and Carl Kerkhoff in a small German community in Minnesota. As a child, she moved to the Kansas City area and graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School and Johnson County Community College Nursing Program.

As a young mother, Darlene served as a Girl Scout leader, school room mother and vacation bible school teacher, often treating her children with one of her favorites - Dairy Queen Dilly Bars! She loved to dance, play cards, and travel, even once crossing America by motorcycle.

She was a proud registered nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital, who retired at the age of 73. She started her nursing career as an LPN. Then, as a young single mother of 3, she worked full-time and went to school full-time to obtain her RN degree. Yet, she was always happy to work overtime to meet the needs of her family. Later, she pursued and earned the speciality credentials of CRRN - Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse. As a rehab nurse specialist she often followed the care of patients who were hospitalized and dismissed. She cheered on those who walked a tough road. It was her mission to help people and improve their lives. She was a generous financial supporter of Salvation Army Disaster Relief and many other organizations like Boys Town and City Union Mission.

Darlene was beautiful and tough. Her legacy of resilience, independence and devotion will not be forgotten.

A remarkable woman, loving mother, grandmother/great-grandmother, and giving soul.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, April 30th at 11 am at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, 13901 S. Black Bob Road, Olathe KS 66062.