Darlene Grace Navratil

Darlene was born to Joseph and Emma (Rezabek) Prasek on July 13, 1929, in Crete, Nebraska. She graduated from Crete High School in 1947. Darlene worked various jobs in Crete, including the bakery during high school and as a secretary at a local construction company after graduation.

Darlene met Marv Navratil when they were both in the high school band. Their first date was attending a fundraiser for band uniforms. Darlene and Marv loved to dance, and Marv proposed to Darlene at the Turnpike Ballroom at the corner of Highway 77 and Saltillo. They were married in 1949 at the First Congregational Church in Crete. Darlene and Marv had four children: Ron, Bonnie, Ken, and Dan. Darlene was a busy wife and mother. She served as her children’s 4-H leader and chief cheerleader, encouraging all four children to strive to be and do their best. Darlene worked part-time at Fritz’s House of Fabrics while the children were still at home and then at the Lancaster County Extension Service as the administrative assistant for over 20 years.

Darlene and Marv lived in Cheney for 48 years until December 2018, when they moved to the Legacy Estates in Lincoln. Marv passed away in March 2020 after 70 years of marriage. After Marv’s passing, Darlene made the most of her time at the Legacy, playing Bingo, exercising, making new friends, and sharing stories with her close friend and tablemate, Billie Jaques.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Marv Navratil; her sons, Ken and Dan Navratil; daughter-in-law, Connie Navratil; her parents, Joseph and Emma Prasek; and her sisters, Lorraine Prasek and Leona Pomajzl. She is survived by her son Ron Navratil of Lincoln, grandchildren Tina (Cleve) Reeves of Lincoln and Katie Navratil (Kyle Torczon) of Omaha; daughter Bonnie (Cal) Paschold of Firth, grandchildren Jennifer (Andrew) Voss of Louisville, Sarah (Jared) Goertzen of Henderson, and Erika Paschold (Michael Wunder) of Lincoln; grandchildren Alan and Jessica Navratil of Lincoln; nine great-grandchildren Jackson and Kendall Reeves; Landon, Parker, Hudson, and Elaina Voss; and Aaron, Brady, and Violet Goertzen; daughters-in-law Sue Navratil, Kim Navratil, and Deb Vance; sister JoAnne Krenk; sisters-in-law Beth Navratil and Ana Lou (Larry) Roth; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Cheney United Methodist Church.