Beverly Darlene Witzel was born on Aug. 19, 1935, to Millard and Claire Newell. She passed away on June 23, 2024.

Darlene was born in Drewsey, and spent the first few years of her youth there. She grew up with her sister, Della Myrtle, and was surrounded by family – aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Her family lived in Jordan Valley for a time, before moving back to Harney County. Darlene attended Burns High School, but because of lifelong friendships, she spent a lot of time at Crane. Through these friendships, she met a teenage boy from Frenchglen, who was a student at Crane. After her graduation from Burns in 1953, Darlene worked in Burns and Drewsey, while waiting for Freddie Witzel to graduate from Crane.

 On Dec. 1, 1954, she, Freddie, and his parents drove to Winnemucca, Nev., and the two were married. Their first home was on the family ranch, near Frenchglen. Darlene began her life as a ranch wife, diving in with both feet. She worked in the hayfields, helped horseback, built miles of fence, calved heifers, grew a garden, branded 1,000’s of calves, and in 1956, began raising kids.

Darlene and Freddie’s first child, Vicki, was born in Ontario, in 1956; John was born in Ontario, in 1959; Debbie was born in Ontario, in 1962; and Mike was born in Burns, in 1966. While raising the kids, Darlene continued to work alongside Freddie and her mother- and father-in-law. 

In 1973, they moved their ranching operations to Diamond, after buying Freddie’s uncle’s ranch on McCoy Creek. Darlene and Freddie continued to raise cattle there until they sold out in 1988, and moved to Burns.

After moving, Darlene continued to be active, helping others. She traveled with Freddie, helping with bull sales and delivering bulls for Hoyt and Sons; spent several summers on Steens Mountain, working for Steens Mountain Packers; and most recently, helped at Virgin Valley Opal Mines in Nevada.

Coming from a musical family, music was always a prominent element of Darlene’s life. In the early years of marriage, she played the piano in a band that provided dance music at rural communities throughout Harney County. She, Freddie, and two neighbors traveled many miles, with guitars, amps and cases full of sheet music, playing western music for the attendees to enjoy. Even when her fingers would no longer bend and reach where they needed on the keys, the piano remained a mainstay in her living room, with Hank Williams and Patsy Cline sheet music at the ready. All of her kids learned to dance at an early age, most likely because of her rhythm.

Darlene loved to watch Crane Mustang sports. It was always the highlight of her week if she got to sit on the football sidelines or basketball court bleachers and cheer.  She also loved to play board games, especially Scrabble, and she was a great partner to sit across from in a game of Pinochle. 

Darlene’s cookie jar was rarely empty… if it was, her kids and grandkids had just visited.  She was as thrifty as there ever was, and rarely splurged on anything that she didn’t feel was a necessity. Her adult kids now joke that she could make sandwiches for the whole family from one can of tuna. 

Her life was full of adventures, and Darlene especially loved the outdoors. Many times she killed the first elk each season, and ironically was usually the person who moved and stayed with the vehicles. She was an excellent shot with her 25-35, and could reel in trout after trout from Harney County’s creeks. She loved spending time at their Spring Creek property, shooting ground squirrels and enjoying the peace and quiet. She was also an avid reader, and had an extensive collection of Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey books. 

Darlene’s outdoor adventures also took her to the sky, riding with Freddie in his airplanes and helicopter. She shotgunned coyotes, checked their cattle, went to Burns for parts and Idaho for appointments in the co-pilot seat. 

After selling the ranch, Darlene and Freddie had the time to travel and see new country. They made trips throughout the western states, into the Midwest, and to Canada. 

She never wanted to be in the spotlight, but volunteered behind the scenes quite often. Darlene helped with Harney County 4-H, the Harney County Race Meet, Frenchglen and Diamond Schools, Diamond Community Club, and every other club and team her kids participated in.

Darlene is survived by her husband of 69 years, Freddie; and her children, Vicki (Jim) Baker, John Witzel, Debbie (Hoot) Raney, and Mike (Georgie) Witzel. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson to be born in July; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Millard and Claire Newell; and sister and brother-in-law, Della Myrtle and Floyd Dunten.

At her request, there will be a private, family service. Contributions in Darlene’s memory may be made to the Crane Booster Club, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.