Memorial service for Darlene Thornton age 81 of Valentine will be held on Thursday, June 1 at 10:00 AM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines. Inurnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Thornton passed away on May 25 at Pine View Good Samaritan Center in Valentine.

Darlene Lois (Senglemann) Thornton was born in Valentine Nebraska on Jan 22 1936 to William and Lena (Lenser) Senglemann. Darlene was an only child. She and her family lived on a farm north of Valentine until her father's health declined then she and her parents moved to Valentine. Darlene worked while she was in High School and always teased her grandchildren she knew "how to make the best milkshake". Darlene married Calvin (Cork) Thornton on Dec 27 1955. To this union two sons were born, Kevin James and Craig Evan. Cork and Darlene started their marriage off by opening a small bait shop in Valentine, which would soon become Corks Sport Shop. Darlene became a widow when her husband died at age 54 in a pickup accident. Darlene continued to run Corks Sport Shop with her son Kevin until they retired from the shop. She then went to work at Super 8 Motel. Darlene was a role model to many, including her sons, grandchildren, great grandsons and her many relatives, because of her hard work, loving life, and never give up spirit. Darlene was very proud and always told the story how she cooked "turtle stew" for Coach Tom Osborne and his brother when they came to Valentine to have Cork guide them on a fishing trip. Darlene never knew a lost animal as she would take the animals' home and care for them. She passed down the same trait to her two granddaughters and her great grandson, Aiden.

Darlene passed May 25, 2017 at Pine View. She is survived by sons Kevin (Joyce) and Craig; Grandchildren, Corky, Torie (Dustin), Jacob (Brandi), and Chastidy (Maddex); Great Grand Sons, Aiden and Maverick and Her special Cousins Lois and Darrell Docken and Edna Haase. She was preceded in death by her husband Cork, her parents William and Lena, Brothers- in- law, Virgil and Newell Thornton, and her best friends Rose Mooney and Sylvia Garwood and her many special pets and relation.