Darlene graduated from Johnstown High School. She married Ed Shultz on September 27, 1953, in Loveland. She loved sewing and quilting and was a 4-H sewing leader for years. She also started the first Girl Scout troop in Johnstown and was a leader in both local and statewide Eastern Star. Having traveled the state both as a sports mom, as a state offi cer in Eastern Star and driving Rainbow girls hither and yawn, Darlene saw a good deal of Colorado. She traveled by train with Ed to California when the kids were still young and often remarked about that trip. She and Ed also took their Harley Davidson out often on local day trips. She loved how riding the motorcycle meant seeing and smelling things you couldn’t see or smell from the car. Ed preceded her on April 7, 1996.

Darlene held a lot of jobs from telephone operator to feed truck weigher. She worked at Colorado Alfalfa Products in Milliken, at Johnstown Clothing on Main Street, HP in Loveland, the First National Bank for many years, and in her retirement, she worked part-time as the secretary at the United Methodist Church of Johnstown. But by far she took the greatest pride

See OBIT in her role as wife and mother and more recently Grandma and Great-Grandma. Grandma Darlene made keepsakes that were well used and now well cherished.

She married Glenn Shultz on August 1, 1998, in Denver and they were able to travel to the United Kingdom, and several U.S. states.

She is survived by her husband, Glenn; daughters, Lori Rieder (Gary) and Jody Shultz (Eric); son, Steve Shultz (Ellen) and Lisa Shultz. She leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by all her siblings, Bernice Hayes, Roberta Ackerman, Beverly Gerhardt, Dolores Coon, Robert “Bobby” Markham and Virgene Burns; her first husband, of over 40 years, Edward Shultz; her son-in-law, Alan Rieder; and grandson, Griffin Shultz. Darlene passed peacefully on December 24, 2025, in Windsor. A visitation was held December 30 at the Johnstown United Methodist Church. Darlene’s Life Celebration was held December 31 at the Johnstown United Methodist Church with a luncheon reception following. Private interment at the Johnstown Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to “Front Range Fire & Rescue” in care of Young’s Funeral Service, 102 E. Charlotte Street, Johnstown, CO 80534. Condolences and tributes may be shared at youngsfunerals. com.

That though the radiance which was once so bright be now forever taken from my sight. Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower. We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind. ~ William Wordsworth To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go. ~ Mary Oliver