Dora "Darlene" Bengsch

Darlene Dora Bengsch, 86, of Springfield, MO, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, with her hand being held by her loving husband.
Born September 28, 1938, in Ft. Riley, KS, to Woodrow and Reba (Phelps) Justice, Darlene grew up on a farm outside Billings, MO, where she learned faith and hard work. She was her father's farm hand and was also an expert marksman. She graduated from Billings High School in 1957 and married the love of her life, Harold Bengsch, at Billings First Baptist Church on August 29, 1957. She later attended business college and MSU studying accounting. She worked in bookkeeping to help Harold through school, and faithfully served on the church financial committee.
Darlene's greatest joy was being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She lived out her faith daily with a gentle spirit, a servant's heart, and a gift for making things beautiful. She loved tatting, painting, drawing, sewing, cooking, and caring for her flower gardens. She won blue ribbons at the Ozark Empire Fair for her canning and flower arranging. She volunteered with The Salvation Army and Community Partnership of the Ozarks. She was always very involved in women's ministry as well as others. Together with her husband she spent several years working with the college and career young people of their church and singing in the church choir. She loved being involved in her daughter's school activities including PTA, homeroom, and booster club.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Harold; daughter, Meschiel Lankford and husband Paul; son-in-law, Mike Melton; grandchildren Chris Lankford and wife Tamra, Sarah Hart and husband Justin, Sasha Rahn and husband Justin, and Landen Melton and wife Greta; and 10 great-grandchildren, Trysten, Isabel, Abby, Grayson, Remington, Aiden, Ethan, Corban, Marion and Ariana. Cousin Brian Bengsch and wife Tracy and many sweet friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved Auntie Genevieve Lash, and youngest daughter, Kena Melton.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects and celebrate Darlene's life at the visitation which will be held at Crossway Baptist Church on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 10 am with a celebration of life following at 11 am. Burial will follow the service at Smart Cemetery in Clever, MO.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Partnership of the Ozarks or The Salvation Army. Special thanks for tender loving care to her Nurses Rachel Eno and Brenda Pollard and caregiver Jenny Jordan from Haven Hospice.
Darlene's favorite verse was Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Her light continues to shine through all who knew her and loved her.