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Darlene Faye Empson, 78

Darlene Empson, age 78, of Manhattan, passed away Thursday, May 16, at the Via Christi Manhattan. She was born July 31, 1945, in Stafford, Kansas, to the late Carl and Margaret (Steadman) Hoss. Darlene began her career in 1962 as a waitress at the Trail Rider's Cafe and later became manager and cook for the family-owned business located at the 24-81 Junction. In 1982 she moved to Concordia, Kansas, and continued in the restaurant business at the Thunderbird Restaurant where she made lifelong friends and relationships. Upon the restaurant closing Darlene started a cleaning business. Her final and favorite career move was to Manhattan to be full-time grandma and day-care provider for her youngest two grandchildren. She is best known for her love of family and friends, antics with longtime friend Pat, her sassy attitude, bread pudding and cinnamon rolls.
She is survived by daughter, Lisa Nixon (Jim) of Leawood; son, Brian Empson of Kansas City; daughter, Darcy Ruhl of Manhattan; grandchildren, Heather Empson of Topeka, Shannon Nixon of Olathe, Madilyn and Olivia Ruhl of Manhattan; great-grandchildren, Brody and Chloie of Topeka; her siblings, Jeanette (Nick) Kondratieff of Clay Center, Denise (Mick) Hamel of Miltonvale, Steve Carson of Manhattan, Mark (Annette) Carson of Clay Center, Neal (Lisa) Carson of Wakefield.
She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Marlene Tate; brother, Jerry Hoss; and parents.
Visitation will be Monday, June 3, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM with the family present 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM to receive friends at Nutter Mortuary, 116 E. 6th St., Concordia, KS 66901.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 4, at 10:30 AM at Nutter Mortuary, then procession to the Miltonvale Cemetery for the graveside service.
Memorials may be given to the Darlene Empson Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date in c/o Nutter Mortuary
For online condolences, please visit nuttermortuary.com.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA