Darlene Ella Koester was born at her grandparents’ home in Dodge County on January 24, 1930, to Otto and Martha (Engelbrecht) Koester. Darlene was baptized January 28, 1930 and confirmed July 12, 1942 by Pastor Kern at Trinity Lutheran Church, Scribner. She grew up on a farm near Scribner, attended country school, and graduated from Scribner High School in 1948. On March 12, 1950, Darlene married Delwin Schwinck at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Scribner. Darlene was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, LWML, and GFWC Women’s Club. She was a 4-H leader and Girl Scout leader. Some of Darlene’s favorite pastimes included roller skating, cooking, baking desserts, crocheting, and tending to her bird feeders. She enjoyed fishing, photography, genealogy, and spending time at the family cabin near Dead Timber. Survivors include sons David (Linda) of Lincoln, Brian (Claire) of Lincoln, and Darren of West Point; daughters Carole (C. Stephen) Meyer of Hastings, Nancy (Dan) Martinez of Fremont, Jayne (Doug) Freudenburg of Madison, Wendy (Bill) Roberts of Chadron, Sally Schwinck of Lincoln, Nadine (Chris) Peatrowsky of West Point, and Amy (Chris) Reed of Creston, IA; 19 grandchildren and six step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren; sister Norma (Norman) Tonjes of Scribner; sisters-in-law Marian Koester of Scribner and Alice Schwinck of Fremont. Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Delwin in 1991; parents; brother Vernon; and son-in-law Tim Belak.