Darlene Lavonne passed away peacefully with her family at her side Wednesday September 24, 2025.

Darlene was born on October 3, 1936, in Hemingford, Nebraska to Harold and Audrey (Johns) Hood.  She spent her early years on her family's farm in the Rushville-Gordon, Nebraska area. She graduated from Gordon High School in 1954. She graduated from National School of Business in Rapid City.

On January 11, 1957, Darlene married William L Martin, who was in the Air Force and stationed at Ellsworth Air Base in Rapid City. They had three girls, Lori Jo, Terri Lynn and Joni Lee.

Darlene spent many years selling antiques and was a fixture at local auctions. She was known for her flower gardens and believed life was best spent with dirt under your fingernails. Her true lifelong passion was genealogy. She spent over 50 years researching her family's history. From spending countless hours in libraries to sitting at her computer, she was able to track her ancestors across the Atlantic Ocean. She was a proud member of the Mayflower Society and Daughters of the American Revolution.

She is survived by her daughters, Lori (Brad) Kiewel, Terri Porubensky and Joni (Alex) Hamann; grandchildren, Eric Kiewel, Ryan (Rachel) Aarron and Jordan (Kallie) Porubensky, Sydnee and Samantha Hamann; great-grandchildren, Haddie, Theodore, Sage, and Carson Porubensky and her brother, William Hood.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Harold and Audrey; her brothers, Kenneth and Jerry Hood; and her sister, Karen Keyser.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.