Darlene May Lorenzen

Darlene May (Casteel) Lorenzen, age 88, of Cortland, Nebraska passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2025. She was born on July 2, 1936, to George Cecil Casteel and Freda Nell (Walker) Casteel. She was born in Kensington, Kansas, and spent much of her childhood in the Sandhills of Nebraska. Her family settled in Lincoln, Nebraska in the 1950s, where she graduated from Lincoln High in 1955. During her final year of high school, she resided with Ada Westover, with whom she maintained a lifelong friendship.

After high school, she was introduced to Malvin Lorenzen through a family friend. They married on January 13, 1956, at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In the early years of their marriage, they resided in Lincoln, but ultimately made their home in Cortland. Darlene worked at Russell Stover Chocolates, Lincoln General Hospital, and Cushman Motors. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 253 since 1960, where she volunteered for events such as the annual Thanksgiving Dinner.

Darlene went above and beyond to care for the people around her. She was deeply involved in raising their two children, Bonnie, born in 1965 and Calvin, born in 1967, and provided extensive care to her husband’s parents as they aged. Darlene taught Sunday School at the United Methodist Church and was involved in planning and organizing the yearly Vacation Bible School when her children were young. She was actively engaged in the Cortland United Church throughout her life, serving on various committees. Darlene was an excellent seamstress, making many of her children’s clothing in the early days of their childhood. She was instrumental in developing her daughter’s love for sewing and embroidery and spent many hours in their basement at the sewing machine, patiently passing on her knowledge and skill. Over the course of these years, Darlene also developed her own cleaning services, spending several days weekly working in Lincoln, balancing work, and family.

After she and Malvin retired, they spent time with family and enjoyed their home. They particularly enjoyed traveling to Branson and took many bus tours there to see their favorite musicians. They travelled with Malvin’s sister Lois and her husband Harry and enjoyed holidays and family time with Calvin’s family. They enjoyed watching their grandchildren, Austin, and Natasha, grow up nearby. When their granddaughter Madeline (Bonnie) was born in 2007, they began making regular trips to Indiana and Montana to spend time with her. They had long-time friends and incredible neighbors, Dick and Carol Trapp, in Cortland, who looked out for them as they aged in their home.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Malvin Lorenzen. She is survived by children Bonnie (Stefan Peterson) Lorenzen, Calvin (Susan) Lorenzen; grandchildren, Austin Lorenzen, Natasha (Lorenzen) Standley, Madeline Lorenzen-Peterson, Dylan Peterson; great-grandsons Logan and Parker Standley; sister-in-law, niece, nephew, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 16, 2025. 6800 S 14th St. Lincoln, NE 68512.