Darlene Marie (Leiker) Kuhn, 85, of Russell, Kansas, died on January 03, 2017, at the Parkview Care Center in Osborne, Kansas.

Darlene was born on April 06, 1931, in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of Martin A. and Bridget (Burgardt) Leiker.  She was the 2nd child of 7 children.  She grew up in Munjor, Kansas, attended local schools and also attended school in Shoenchen, Kansas.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Ralph C. Kuhn on July 23, 1957, in Munjor, Kansas.  From this union they were blessed with 3 children Kenneth, Wanda and R.C., Jr..  She worked as a cook and kitchen manager for 29 years at the Elks Lodge in Russell and worked as a cook for the Russell Public Schools.  She was a longtime member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell.  She was a life member of the Russell V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary, Daughters of Isabella of Gorham and the Sunflower Polka Club.  She enjoyed playing bingo, puzzles, cooking, watching husband and son R.C. bowl, country music, polka music and watching Kansas City Royals baseball.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren.

Surviving family include her daughter Wanda Lynch and son R.C. Kuhn, Jr., grandchildren Karissa and Tammy Lynch all of Russell, Kansas; brothers Virgil Leiker (Dianna) of Hays, Kansas and Wayne Leiker (Edith) of El Dorado, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ralph on January 06, 2012, son Kenneth G. Leiker; sisters Juanita Ruder and Donna Pfannenstiel, Wilma Engel and Betty J. Leiker.

A celebration of the funeral mass for Darlene's life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 06, 2017, at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell.  Burial will follow at the St. Mary Cemetery in Russell.  Register Book will be available from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. Thursday, January 05, 2017, at the Mortuary in Russell.  A vigil service will be held at 7 PM on Thursday, January 05, 2017, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell.  Memorials may be given to the Kansas State Basic Cancer Research or DSNWK of Russell and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.