Darlene Hestand

Eufaula Darlene Steelman Hestand passed away January 27, 2020 at the age of 82 at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Darlene was born May 5, 1937 in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the eighth of ten children born to Jones Bryan and Stella Mae Steelman.  Darlene graduated from Pocasset High School in 1955.  She married Gene Hestand on August 21, 1958 and they lived their life together in Chickasha until Gene's passing in 2014.

Darlene's first job was as an operator with Southwestern Bell Telephone in Chickasha, Oklahoma.  She later began studies at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and continued her education at the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a master's degree in Counseling.  Darlene taught 4th grade at Lincoln Elementary School for 25 years, retiring in 2002.

Darlene enjoyed her retirement years and filled her days with family and friends.  She loved card games and played bridge and canasta several times a week, was an enthusiastic member of the Red Hat Society, and actively supported Chickasha's Mobile Meals program.  Darlene loved being a member of and worshipping at New Life Christian Church.  She had a tender heart and never missed an opportunity to donate to children's missions, whether it was for children in Kenya, Mexico, her home church, or just someone she met with a special need.  Of course, the joy of her life was her son Mike, and she especially loved being his mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother.

She is survived by her son, Mike Hestand of Mustang, Oklahoma and his precious girlfriend Tracey Burton of Yukon, Oklahoma;

1 grandchild:  Savana Rose Hestand of El Reno, Oklahoma;

2 great-grandsons:  Hagen "Tuff" Sosa and Stetson Lane Sosa of El Reno, Oklahoma;

2 sisters:  Leota Aduddell of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Shirley Howard of Amber, Oklahoma;

1 brother:  Gary Steelman and wife Lillian of Amber, Oklahoma;

1 sister-in-law:  Louise Hestand Dalton of Edmond, Oklahoma; and

Many nieces and nephews.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Gene; her sisters Juanita Eitel, Irene Kennedy, Wanda Bright, and Imogene Clark; and her brothers Jack Steelman and Phil Steelman.

A memorial service to celebrate Darlene's life will be held Friday, January 31, 2020, 2:00 p.m. at New Life Christian Church, Chickasha, Oklahoma.  Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle, Oklahoma under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.sevierfuneralhome.com.