Darlene Minnie Vette (Hines) was born April 28, 1933 in Westboro, Missouri to Fred and Ella (Rosenthal) Vette. She graduated from Clarksdale High School in 1952, where, in between her farm chores at home, she was active in chorus, volleyball, softball, and cheerleading. Darlene, an enthusiastic equestrian, and at the insistence of her father, entered the Rodeo Queen contest, winning third place, and the Apple Blossom Festival Queen pageant, serving as an attendant. It was while visiting California with close friend from Clarksdale High, Jean Miller, that Darlene met fellow Midwesterner and young Marine, Lonnie Hines. The couple married at Hope United Church of Christ in Cosby, Missouri in 1955. As a Marine wife, Darlene became accustomed to packing and unpacking so often, she only indulged her passion for knickknacks after Lonnie's retirement in 1968.

The couple had lived first in Indiana, where daughter Debra Jean was born in 1957, then at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where son Larry Raymond was born in 1960. Arlington, Virginia, and Camp Pendleton, California, were the last U. S. posts before Lonnie Hines served as a first lieutenant in Viet Nam, 1965-66. During that year, Darlene moved with her children from Camp Pendleton to St. Joseph, near siblings Margaret, Dorothy, Kenneth, and Lois Ann. After Lonnie's retirement from the Marine Corps at Nebo Supply Center in Barstow, California, the family moved to Springfield, Missouri. Darlene worked as an Electronic Technician for Litton Industries.

In 1980, the empty nesters moved back to the St. Joseph area to enjoy the company of extended family. When husband, Lonnie, died in 2019, Darlene lived her last four years near son Larry and daughter-in-law, Sue, enjoying bowling, golfing and happy hour with her friends at the Manor at Marston Lake, Littleton, Colorado.

Survivors include daughter, Debra Jean (James) Thornton; son Larry Raymond (Sue) Hines; grandchildren: Ben, Jack, Sam and Emilie. Lois Ann Turner, of Chilicothe, Missouri, is Darlene's remaining beloved sister. Darlene was predeceased by her parents Fred and Ella, and siblings Margaret, Dorothy, Kenneth, and Violet May.

Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Friday Oct. 27, 2023, at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel where the family will receive friends on Thursday evening 5 to 7 pm. Burial at Leavenworth National Cemetery.