Darlene E. Nestler, 69, of Bunker Hill, Kansas, died on Saturday, April 19, 2014, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Darlene was born on July 08, 1944, in Greenwood Township located in Northern Phillips County, Kansas, the daughter of Fredrick and Lillie (Hull) Massey.  She grew up in the Greenwood Township area and graduated from the Republican City, Nebraska High School in the class of 1961 and was class Valedictorian.  She was married to Edgar Richard Nestler in 1962 and from this union they were blessed with a son Jim and a daughter Dawn.  Later, she and Edgar were divorced in 1973.  Darlene worked as a cashier for many years with Boogaart’s Grocery and later with Klema’s Apple Market in Russell.  She worked for 13 years with the Bunker Hill Fire Department #5 and was one of the first women to join the department.  She also worked as an E.M.T. for many years and she was the Bunker Hill City Treasurer from 1976 to 2010.  She enjoyed baking, sewing and flower gardening.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her children and grandson Jeremy.

Surviving family include her son Jim Nestler and wife Debbie of Bunker Hill, Kansas; daughter Dawn Karle and husband Bryan of Munjor, Kansas and grandson Jeremy Nestler of Bunker Hill; extended family Shirley Stone, Michelle Van Der Wege and Shawna Noller.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers Clifford and Jerry Massey and sister Ella Richardson.

A graveside service to celebrate Darlene’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at the Bunker Hill Cemetery in Bunker Hill, Kansas, with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating with burial to follow.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at the mortuary with family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M., Tuesday evening.  Memorials may be given to the Hays Medical Center Oncology Department and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.