Darlene Klein

Funeral services for Darlene A. Klein, age 86, of Battle Creek, will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 17, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church in Battle Creek. Reverend Eric Gradberg will officiate, with burial in the church cemetery. 

The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website. 

Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church. 

Steffen Mortuary in Battle Creek is in charge of arrangements.

Darlene passed away Monday, July 13, 2026, at Faith Health in Norfolk.

Darlene Ann Klein was born November 28, 1939, in Norfolk, Nebraska to Alfred and Anna (Long) Knapp. She attended St. John Lutheran Elementary and Battle Creek Public High School, graduating in 1957.  

Darlene married Douglas Klein on October 19, 1958, at St. John Lutheran Church in Battle Creek, where both were lifelong members. They made their home on a farm southwest of Battle Creek where she continued to live after Doug's passing in August of 2010.

The last 20 months she lived at Heritage at Fountain Point Assisted Living in Norfolk. It was here that she renewed her love of puzzles, met some wonderful new friends; laughing and reminiscing about days past.

Growing up Darlene and her siblings helped on the family farm which instilled a hard work ethic. After graduation she began work as a telephone operator until her marriage to Doug; starting her most favored job of raising their children. Many adventures were experienced by this close-knit family. Adventures included working the Klein family farm, learning new hobbies, traveling by taking seldom used roads, and visiting her favorite places to spend time; on the beaches of Port Aransas, Texas and Southern California. She continued the travel bug with her grandchildren taking all four of them on mini excursions during the summer months.

When her children were older, Darlene worked at the Drapery Parlor in Norfolk which led to her co-owning the Tarp Shop in Norfolk. Later she held a position at The Nook in Battle Creek. Two granddaughters living nearby allowed her to be involved with their childcare. Her love of cooking and crafting soups helped her daughter and husband start Goody's Grille in Battle Creek where she gained the nickname 'soup czar'.

Darlene was an avid reader known for a vast book collection. She loved her family deeply; supporting and encouraging them by attending events of both her children and grandchildren, traveling to Lincoln frequently for her grandsons and locally for her granddaughters.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, Keaton Alan Klein; brother-in-law, Glenn Staver; and nephew, Adam Knapp.

Darlene is survived by her children, Sandra (Mike) Goodwater of Battle Creek, Steven Klein (Alexandra Kummer-Klein) of Carpinteria, CA, and Curtis (Julie) Klein of Lincoln; grandchildren Hannah Goodwater and Claire Goodwater both of Lincoln and Jaxson (Emily) Klein; one great-grandson due to arrive any day of Omaha; sister, Shirley Staver of Battle Creek; brother, Allen (Kay) Knapp of Battle Creek; and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. John Lutheran Church, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Lied Public Library all of Battle Creek.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.homeforfuneralsinc.com.

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