Darlene Lou Small

Darlene Gilman Small, 94, Overland Park, passed away on July 25, 2025.

Darlene was born in Lebo, Kansas on December 2, 1930 to Lee and Luella Gilman.

She moved to Olivet, Kansas at age 4 and graduated from Olivet High School. She attended the Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas. She began her teaching career at age 17 when she taught in Olivet, Bluff City and Chapman, Kansas. Darlene obtained her B.S. in Education in 1956. While working towards her degree she met her husband Rodney Small and they were married on March 25, 1956 in Olivet, Kansas. With this union three sons were born, Edward, Mark and Kevin.

Darlene received her Master’s Degree from Emporia State University in 1975. Her teaching career spanned 36 years with 22 years in the Olathe School District. Upon her retirement from teaching in 1992 she co-founded the Olathe Senior Serving Schools program (now known as Volunteers Serving Schools) and remained active with the program for 30 years. She was a master teacher nominee from both Havencroft Elementary and Pioneer Trail Junior High and was nominated by former students and accepted into the Who’s Who Among American Teachers. She was also a member of Chrysantas Club, PEO, Grace United Methodist Church and the OMC Foundation.

In her retirement Darlene and Rodney enjoyed their travels with the Olathe Airstream Club and wintering in Surprise, Arizona. She was very talented with knitting and crocheting skills. In her later years she began painting which she enjoyed immensely.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Rodney in 2009, and a sister Miriam Miller. She is survived by her three sons: Edward Small (Nancy), Mark Small (Elizabeth) and Kevin Small (Christine); two sisters: Donnalee Mounkes and Charlotte Buchtel; six grandchildren: Stefanie (Small) Clark, Bradley Small, Alex Small, Garrett Small, Andrew Small and Connor Small; and two great-grandsons: Liam Clark and Sonny Small.

Visitation will be from 6-8:00 p.m. Monday, August 4th at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5th at the Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 1:30 Tuesday at Lincoln Cemetery in Lebo, KS.

In Lieu of flowers the family suggest donations to Olathe Public Schools Foundation – Area of Greatest Need – Darlene Small Memorial (www.olathepublicschoolsfoundation.org).