Darlene Catherine Fankhouser

Darlene Catherine Fankhouser, 89, of Brighton, Colorado, passed away September 26, 2020, at Brookdale Care Center.  Darlene was born to Adam and Josephine (Herman) Kreutzer on June 19, 1931, in Brighton, CO, being the youngest of three children.  She attended schools in Brighton, graduating in 1949.  Following graduation, she went to California and worked as a telephone operator for a year.  She returned to Brighton and worked as a bookkeeper at Foster Lumber Co.  She then worked as a motor vehicle clerk/computer operator at Adams County Clerk and Recorder, retiring in 1989 after working there for over 20 years. She was a member of Four Way Baptist Church, ESA Sorority, and Brighton Music Choir.  She was an avid gardener and took great pride in her beautiful roses.  She was involved in organizing the school reunions and following retirement, she spent time creating beautiful ceramic pieces.

Darlene married Eugene Harper in 1953, and they had 3 children: Michael, Terry, and Janice. They later divorced.  She then married Earl Fankhouser in 1982.   Darlene and Earl enjoyed traveling in their motor home, visiting 49 of the 50 states, spending time as a campground host in Alaska, and vacationing in Japan, Canada and Mexico.

Darlene is survived by her son, Terry (Deborah) Harper, of Windsor, CO, and daughter, Janice (Phil) Croft, of Fort Morgan, CO; grandchildren Brian Harper and Julie (Marcus) Hansen of Brighton, Alison (Calvin) Ikenouye of LaSalle, CO, David Harper of Windsor, CO, Daniel (Stephanie) Schuyler of Thornton, CO, and Sabrina Schuyler of Fort Morgan, CO.  She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Brayden and Makynna Harper of Brighton, Lily and Liam Hansen of Brighton, Amalia and Sophia Ikenouye of LaSalle, and Zelda Schuyler and Xander Garcia of Thornton.  Darlene is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands Eugene Harper and Earl Fankhouser, brother  Melvin Kreutzer, sister Marjorie Farner, and son Michael Harper.

Services will be held Monday, Oct 5, at 11:00 a.m, at Fourway Baptist Church of Fort Lupton, CO.  Private Interment Service will be held at a later date at Fort Logan Cemetery, Denver, CO. 

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