D’Arlene Aldrich, 86 years old, passed away on September 27, 2016 with family by her side. She grew up on a farm in Missouri and was an accomplished drummer and percussionist in the band. She graduated valedictorian from Plattsburg High School in 1948. D’Arlene graduated from the University of Kansas where she received a degree in Interior Design and met her husband, Dwight. They were married for sixty-two years and lived in Wichita where they raised their children, Lisa, Amelia and Kent. D’Arlene held various jobs, including secretarial work at the KU Law School office and designing aircraft interiors at Boeing.

D’Arlene was a dedicated and loving stay-at-home Mother who taught her children to appreciate the arts, nature and music. She believed that a good education was important for success in life and along with her husband, provided the gift of a college education for each of her children. She spent time every summer planting flower and vegetable gardens. D’Arlene enjoyed watching Jayhawk basketball, going to concerts and traveling to visit family in both the states and Europe. She and her husband also loved researching and collecting antiques.

D’Arlene is survived by her daughter Lisa McClanahan (Alan) of Olathe KS, daughter Amelia Tillman (Drew) of Tallahassee, Florida, son Kent Aldrich (Annette) of Switzerland and sister Page (Joseph) Campbell of Overland Park. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Sarah Wonnell (Rob), Rachel Lockridge (Adam), Kathryn Lane (Keith), Dylan and Amoreena Tillman, Florentine and Vivian Aldrich and nine great-grandchildren; Josiah, Micah, Gavin, Zeke, Ramona, Milo, Josephine, Louella and Jenevieve. In addition, she is survived by nephew Christopher (Stephanie) Campbell and their children and niece Cynthia (Tom) Corum and their children. She was preceded in death by husband, Dwight and her parents, Robert and Agnes Kirk.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 1:00 p.m., followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m. with reception following at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 Blackbob Road, Olathe, Kansas. She will be laid to rest on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at Downs Cemetery in Downs, Kansas. A memorial has been established with Mission Southside, 18335 W 168th Terrace, Olathe, KS 66062




To leave a message for her family or to share a memory of D'Arlene, please click on the "Share Memories" tab above or scroll down below.