Dorothy Darlene "Oehrke" Thomas

Dorothy Darlene "Oehrke" Thomas, 92, of Sedalia, MO, passed away at Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center in Sedalia on Thursday, October 20, 2022. She was born to August and Frances "Geminden" Oehrke on May 2, 1930, in Smithton, MO. She graduated from Smithton High School in 1948.

On March 13, 1948, she married Ralph R. Thomas at Smithton Methodist Church. During this time, she enjoyed working with her husband and boys on the farm, disking, raking, baling, and hauling in the hay. She always said she would rather be outside working than doing housework.

After their last son went to college, she was the piano accompanist for the 7th and 8th-grade chorus at the Sedalia Middle School for five years. From there, she worked as a deputy recorder at the Pettis County courthouse retiring in 1996.

Darlene was involved in many activities through the years, such as gardening, canning, 4-H, PTA, square dancing, county extension club, accompanying students for solos, former member of Helen G. Steele Music Club and Sweet Adelines. In addition, she worked her married life in the church serving in VBS, WMU, directing a children's and adult choir, playing the piano for over 65 years, and being a Sunday school teacher.

Her hobbies were music, scrapbooking, working in her flowers, nature, sewing, crafts, playing cards, being with her friends, and anything she could create with her hands. Her favorite was being with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by three sons, Karis Ray Thomas (Mary Ann), Dwayne Rollie Thomas (Tina), all of Sedalia, and Chris Daley Thomas (Joseph McKee) of Altadena, CA; daughter-in-law, Melanie of Kearney; five grandchildren, Erin Thomas, Teasha (Victor) Vargas, Zac (Jodi) Thomas, Brett Thomas, and Trenton (Tera) Thomas; six great-grandchildren, Kyra, Evan, Reece, Tucker, Laven, and Abby Mae.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Rodney Thomas; a brother Donald Oehrke; and a granddaughter, Mandy Thomas.

Darlene loved serving her Lord as a member of New Hope Baptist Church, adult Sunday school class, NTO, and she still played the piano at 83 in the praise band. She leaves a multitude of friends and loved ones.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 28, 2022, at Rea Funeral Chapel with pastor Duane Duchesne officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the chapel.

Burial will be at Highland Sacred Gardens.

Honorary bearers will be the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Hope Baptist Church, in care of Rea Funeral Chapel.