Darlene L. Gatison

Darlene was born on September 13, 1940, in Trenton, MO to Linden Raymond and Ila Irene Walker. As a young girl she contributed to the family farm, graduating from Laredo High School in 1957. Darlene married Henry Clyde Vandevender, her high school sweetheart, in 1957. After moving to Kirksville, MO, Darlene trained as a Dental Assistant, and began working for a local Dentist to support her husband’s education as an Industrial Arts Teacher. In the early 60s, the couple moved to Wyandotte County, KS, and over 10 years, they had 2 children, Kenneth Dewayne and Mark Allen. In 1968, she remarried to George Everett Brown, and over 16 years, they raised her two sons to college age in Lee’s Summit, MO. She joined the General Motors Corp. in 1985, and in 1991 she remarried to Sam Gatison, a General Motors colleague, whom partnered with her over 15 years to build a home at Lake Viking, Altamont, MO. She shared the lake home with her family, friends, and neighbors for many joyous years. Her children remember her as a loving and dedicated mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals. Her colleagues remember her as hard working with a generous spirit. Darlene was an accomplished seamstress and green-thumb demonstrated through successful home-based sewing, gardening, greenhouse, and nursery businesses during the 1970s and early 80s. She was a determined individual who loved and served her family. In 2015, she retired from General Motors Corp. where she made many friends catering social events among her colleagues.

She is preceded in death by her husband Sam Gatison, of Lake Viking, Altamont, MO; her parents, Lindon Raymond and Ila Irene Walker of Chillocothe, MO; her brother, Charles Raymond and his wife Margaret Gene Walker, of Gallatin, MO; her nephew, Charles Richard Walker, of Patton, MO; and grandson, Reid Clayton Brown, of Lee’s Summit, MO.

Darlene is survived by her sister Catherine Louise Smith, of Kansas City, MO; her nephew Bobbie Gene Walker, of Jamesport, MO; children, Kenneth Dewayne and his wife Julie Yvonne Brown, of Parker, CO, Mark Allen and his wife Michelle Diane Brown of Oak Grove, MO; grandchildren Corey Kenneth and his wife Erin Elizabeth Brown, of Greenwood, MO, and Nolan Ander Brown, of Kansas City, MO; Taylor Anne and her husband Zackary Robert Higgins, of Parker, CO, Holland Lee and her husband Cody Edward Shultz, of Parker, CO; great grandchildren, Beckett Allen, Ryker Knox, and Kash Porter Brown, of Greenwood, MO, and Adelaide Anne Higgins, of Parker, CO.

Visitation, Funeral, and Graveside services conducted by Reverend Bob Gross are scheduled for 9:00, 10:00, and 1:00 pm respectively at White Chapel Funeral Home 6600 NE Antioch, Gladstone, MO 64119 and Lake Viking Cemetery 18842 Otter Ave, Gallatin, MO 64640. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Darlene's life.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dwnwhitechapel.com for the Gatison family.