Darlene Manz Obituary

Prairie View resident Darlene Joy Manz passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE, at the age of 73.
Darlene Joy McCall was born on January 3, 1952, in Phillipsburg, KS, the daughter of William (Bill) McCall and Eleanor (Fix) McCall. She grew up in Phillipsburg and graduated from Phillipsburg High School. After high school, Darlene worked at Duckwall's. She met her future husband, Leo Manz, in Phillipsburg after he "bumped" his car into her sister Dianna's car. Darlene and Leo were united in marriage on March 31, 1973, at the Sts. Philip & James Catholic Church.
Together, they had two children: Vickie and Kevin. Darlene was blessed to be able to stay home and raise her children, as well as help Leo on the farm. When her children were school-aged, she drove them to and from school on the school bus, later working in the Phillipsburg Middle School cafeteria, the Gingerbread Preschool, and Phillipsburg Jewelers. The family enjoyed camping and vacationing together, and Leo and Darlene especially loved watching their children-and later their grandchildren-participate in various activities.
After moving to Stuttgart, Darlene and Leo eventually purchased a farm between Stuttgart and Prairie View. Darlene had a green thumb and took great pride in her beautiful yard, often sharing flowers with family and friends. She loved caring for the many animals on the farm, from birds at her feeders to dogs, cats, horses, and cattle. In retirement, Darlene and Leo enjoyed traveling with friends to the NFR in Las Vegas each year and spending time at casinos. At home, Darlene became well-known for her one-of-a-kind, superb carrot cake and homemade ice cream. Her contagious smile will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Darlene is survived by her husband, Leo of the home; daughter Vickie Everett and husband Jason of Holdrege, NE; son Kevin Manz of Prairie View; brother Terry McCall and wife Janet of Phillipsburg; sister Shirley Knowles and husband Steve of Kirwin; sister Dianna Reed and husband Barry of Alliance, NE; brother-in-law Larry Manz and sister-in-law Carrie of Wichita; grandchildren Lauren Gibbs, Carmen Manz, Cash Manz, and Colvin Everett and fiancé Dawn; great-granddaughter Millie Everett; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Sts. Philip & James Catholic Church in Phillipsburg, KS, with Father John Schmeidler and Father Trinity Savariyar officiating. Services will be live-streamed on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Phillipsburg.
Mrs. Manz will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg. The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday evening followed by the family receiving friends until 8:30 pm. at the funeral chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sts. Philip & James Catholic Church, the Ron Boeve, Sr. Rotary Medical Expense Fund, or towards the Leo & Darlene Manz Healthcare Scholarship.