Darlene J. Beerup Luth, 89, of Scottsbluff, passed away on Friday, August 25, 2023, in Greeley, Colorado. Cremation has taken place per her wishes. Darlene requested a Celebration of Life which will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the Scottsbluff Hampton Inn and Suites Conference Center from 1pm-4pm. Darlene asked that you please contribute to Waggin’ Tails of Torrington, Wyoming, Festival of Hope in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made by viewing Darlene’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com.
Darlene J. Beerup, the youngest daughter of Maynard C. and Henrietta E. Toye Beerup, was born in Alliance, Nebraska on June 23, 1934. Darlene’s parents had already welcomed another daughter into their family six years prior; Darlene’s sister, Dorothy. Soon after Darlene’s birth, illness caused by dust bowl pneumonia prompted her parents to take their family to Oregon. Darlene’s family returned to Nebraska and by 1943, settled in Scottsbluff. Darlene began grade school in Oregon and graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1952. Since then, Darlene attended nearly every high school reunion and maintained close friendships with many of her classmates, who in later years held yearly get-togethers, which included crafts, food, fun, and a slumber party.
Darlene married Leonard B. Luth on September 6, 1953, at the First Christian Church in Scottsbluff, and together they raised two children, JoAnna and Dan. Darlene and Leonard, with their children and parents, spent time camping, boating, fishing, water-skiing, hunting, and traveling on vacation to places like Yellowstone National Park. Another annual event the family looked forward to was the summer arrival of Darlene’s sister Dot and her family from Texas for rock and arrowhead hunting fun. Darlene and her mother kept the family busy with art, ceramics, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and gardening projects along with trying new recipes, and simply relaxing together – which included lots of love and laughter. As her children grew, Darlene became a “second mom” to many of her children’s friends and included them in family activities. With a life-long love of horses, Darlene and JoAnna first joined the Scottsbluff Saddle Club and participated in gymkhanas and trail rides and later as members of the Corinthian Hunt Club traveled to horse shows. Darlene became a 4-H Leader for a knitting group and aided Dan in his 4-H group for dog training, while encouraging and taking pride in his music and mechanical skills. Leonard died in 1994 and Darlene never remarried, focusing instead on time with her family that had grown to include four grandchildren, D’Arci, Alissa, Amber, and Jared, and as the family continued to grow, six great-grandchildren, Ashwin, Dylan, Lily, Liam, Rhys, and Kade. Darlene visited her sister Dot and family in Texas, and they came to Nebraska for many enjoyable visits.
Darlene’s profession as an accounting clerk began after graduation at Fisher Roofing. She suspended her career to devote herself to raising her children and later resumed working at Star Bus Lines, Hertz Rent-a-Car, and Oregon Trail Travel Service, and when those businesses sold, she worked at Rusch Construction until her retirement in 2012. In June 2022, Darlene was diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor. After undergoing chemotherapy, she was pronounced cancer-free. Wanting to make sure the cancer would not reoccur, in March 2023, Darlene underwent a successful surgery in Colorado and became a cancer survivor. Her greatest wish was to return to her home and independent life with the cats she cared for, attending art classes, reading good books, and creating the birthday cards she loved to send. The after-effects of surgery wore down this strong-willed, loving woman and after saying good-bye to her family, she quietly passed away the morning of August 25th to be with her family in heaven.
She is survived by her daughter JoAnna (Jeff) Stull of Greeley, Colorado and son Dan Luth of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; four grandchildren and six great grandchildren, Alissa Redditt Guzman and son of Ashwin Redditt Guzman of Windsor, Colorado; D’Arci Redditt, Amber (Efrain) Gonzalez and sons Liam, Rhys, and Kade all of Greeley, Colorado, and Jared (Pam) Stull and children Dylan and Lily Stull of Virginia Beach, Virginia; nephews Rex (Donna) Mann of Granbury, Texas, and Jeff (Cindy) Luth of Gillette, Wyoming, and nieces Karen and Cheryl Mann of Dallas, Texas, and Teri (Ron) Penski of Los Angeles, California, and her great nieces and nephews; family not related, Kathy, Nichole, and Kylie, and a host of very dear friends.
She is preceded in death by her mother Henrietta E. Toye Beerup in 1980, her father Maynard C. Beerup in 1987, husband Leonard Luth in 1994, and sister Dorothy L. Beerup Mann in 2012.