Darlene Lillian Welker's Obituary
Darlene Lillian Draper Welker was born July 15th, 1936, in Sanpete County, Utah. She died December 11th, 2015, in Chula Vista, California, at 79.Darlene was the third of 4 daughters born to Orlando Leroy Draper and Reath Ida Brotherson.She attended Snow College and worked as a telephone switchboard operator and other positions to support herself, and was the first one to graduate from college in her immediate family. She found an elementary school teaching job in San Diego, California, and eventually met Bud Welker. They were married in the Manti, Utah temple in July 1963.Darlene continued her teaching job to earn money for a house, and a few years later, she and Bud bought a home in Chula Vista, California. Children came to the family soon after, starting with four boys: Bryce Eugene, Kenneth Vaughn, and the twins, Russell Benjamin and James Laurence. Eventually Darlene received her girls: Denise Lorraine and Linda Marie.Darlene’s life as a mother was very full, at times having three children in diapers. She kept busy supporting them in their various school and church activities, including 15 straight years of taking at least one child to early morning church classes almost every school day.She liked reading, dancing, walks, craft projects, and gardening; one of her life’s maxims was the old adage “use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without”. She enjoyed many kinds of music, but especially the kinds played by her children on the home piano or various musical instruments.Darlene eventually resumed teaching again, doing substitute work while progressing toward certification for a more permanent position. Teaching children remained a passion throughout most of her life. She developed the habit of hanging written scriptures and positive sayings in various places in the house.She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints all her life, and served in many callings in the Relief Society, Primary, Scouting, and Sunday School areas. She started as an ordinance worker with Bud in the San Diego temple, performing that for years despite her failing vision and decreasing mobility. She will be missed by everyone.
What’s your fondest memory of Darlene?
What’s a lesson you learned from Darlene?
Share a story where Darlene's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Darlene you’ll never forget.
How did Darlene make you smile?