Darline Delores (Meeks) Kemnitz
Mar 2, 1929 - Feb 27, 2012
Posted by: Jo Aguirre

Darline D. Kemnitz, 82, passed from this life on Monday, February 27, 2012 surrounded by her family. Services have been entrusted to the care of the Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Perry and will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, March 3 at the Palmer Marler Funeral Home Chapel located at 203 Fir St in Perry, OK. Visitation is scheduled from 2-8pm on Thursday and Friday from 9am-8pm.

Darline Delores Kemnitz was born on March 2, 1929 in Blackwell, OK to Claude and Anna Meeks. She was raised on a farm and attended schools in the Lamont area. Following her graduation, she attended Northern Oklahoma College, before taking a job with Conoco in Oklahoma City. While working for Conoco, she met and began dating the love of her life, John Alfred Kemnitz. John and Darline were married in Tonkawa on June 9, 1951 and would remain married for 55 years, until John’s death in 2006.

From 1954-56, the Kemnitz were stationed in Denver, CO. During this time, Darline took a job with the United States Mint doing secretarial and administrative work. After John’s service was complete, he rejoined Conoco and from 1956-1964, the couple resided in Overland Park, KS. In 1964, Darline and John relocated to Ponca City, OK, where Darline remained until 2006, when her declining heath led her to Oklahoma City to live near her daughter Paula. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Ponca City and was a proud member of the NORTH 999, a group of 9 former Northern Oklahoma College students from the 1950’s who became fiercely loyal pen pals.

Darline was a kind and generous woman who enjoyed life. Her life was the definition of strength. She was a fighter who knew the value of hard work and never took the easy way, but always the right way. She was consummately loyal and was the type of friend that you wanted on your side. Darline was a perfectionist who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. She enjoyed doing floral arrangements, making clothes, cooking, painting, and sewing.

Darline Kemnitz was a loving mother, a proud grandmother, a caring sister, and a loyal friend. She will be missed by all those whose life she touched.

Darline is survived by her daughter, Paula Polito and husband Mike, of Edmond, OK. Granddaughter Katie Gibbons and husband Justin, of Oklahoma City,OK. A sister, Joyce Prilliman and husband Lewis, of Penn Valley, CA. A sister-in-law, Laura Kemnitz, of Perry, OK. Two Brothers-in-law, Edward Kemnitz and wife Anita, of Colona, IL and Oral Newell of Broken Arrow, OK. Two step grandchildren: Matthew and Kelly Polito both of Edmond, OK.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Alfred Kemnitz. Parents Claude and Anna Meeks. Brothers Donald and Loren Meeks. A sister Merline Newell.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.perrycares.com or on facebook at www.facebook.com/pmcfh