RICEVILLE — Darlene Grace (Kruger) Kephart, 92, formerly of Riceville, a longtime educator whose life centered on family, faith and helping generations of young students, died Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell following complications from a stroke.
A private family service will be held in Riceville, with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Riceville.
Memorials may be directed to the St. Francis Manor Foundation in Grinnell or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Riceville.
Darlene was born August 20, 1933, in Riceville, the daughter of Marvin and Lena (Ring) Kruger. She grew up in the community and graduated from Riceville High School in 1951.
She married Kenneth Kephart on August 19, 1961, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Riceville. Together they raised three children, Doug, Lori and Steve, and built a family life that would remain deeply important to Darlene throughout her years.
Education was one of Darlene’s great callings. She taught in several communities, including Orchard, Charles City and Riceville, as well as in Rawlins, Wyoming, early in her career.
Her dedication to learning continued well into adulthood. Darlene earned her degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1984, reflecting the same persistence and love of education that she brought to her classrooms.
Over the years, her work gave her the opportunity to influence the lives of many children and families.
Away from the classroom, Darlene treasured time with her own family. For many years, family fishing trips to Leech Lake in Minnesota provided some of her favorite memories.
After retirement, she and Kenneth enjoyed spending their winters in Apache Junction, Arizona. Following Kenneth’s death in 2019, Darlene moved from Riceville to Grinnell, where she could be closer to her daughter and other family members.
Her later years included time at Seeland Park and St. Francis Manor, where she enjoyed playing cards, taking part in activities and, most especially, being near her great-grandchildren and following the events in their lives.
Those carrying on Darlene’s memory include her children, Doug (Jennifer Anderson) Kephart of Dassel, Minnesota, Lori (Ralph) Elliott of Grinnell and Steve (Lisa) Kephart of Montpelier, Virginia; grandchildren Abby (Shaun) Meinke, Michael (Lindsay) Kephart, Ashley (Greg) Stock, Abby (Jeff) McCulley, Emily Elliott, Christopher (Julie) Kephart and Katie Kephart; and six great-grandchildren, Drake and Wyatt Kephart, Harper and Avery Stock, and Jack and Kate McCulley.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her parents, Marvin and Lena Kruger; brother Donald Kruger; and sisters Jean Hockens and Shirley DeVries.
Lindstrom Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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