Darlene Nissen

Darlene K Nissen entered into eternal rest on Friday December 20th, 2024, service and celebration of her life will be at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Mirage Flats, NE December 27, 2024 at 10:00 am. 

Darlene Kay Williams was born on January 23, 1939, in Ainsworth, NE to Glen E and R. LaVonne (Roberts) Williams. She was the oldest of 3 children. She grew up on the family ranch 7 miles west of Ainsworth. She married Lyle D. Fernau on February 6, 1955. Three sons were born to this union, Steven, Stanley & Scott. They raised their children in Guernsey Wyoming and then Chadron NE. That union ended in 1985. Darlene later married Victor Nissen of Hay Springs, NE. They lived together in Mirage Flats until 2002 when they then moved to Chadron to be closer to her grandchildren. 

Darlene worked as a nurse’s aide from 1974 to 1989. She loved working with the patients and these skills carried into her personal life, caring for her parents in their final years and her husband Vic. Her hobbies were baking, cake decorating, writing poems and short stories all in which reflected her love of God. She attended different churches throughout her life but was always a dedicated worker in whatever church she was attending. Darlene also took time to volunteer her time in many different locations throughout the area. Her grandchildren were her joy, and they loved spending time with Grandma! 

Darlene is survived by her son’s Steven Fernau, Atkinson NE and Scott (Rebecca) Fernau, Chadron NE. She also leaves two stepdaughters, JoElla (Scott) Vejraska and Jane Lemmon, 12 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other extended family members and many close and dear friends. 

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Victor Nissen, siblings Connie Anderson and Roger Williams, son Stan Fernau, grandsons Michael Fernau & Scott A. Fernau and first husband Lyle Fernau.