Darlene graduated from Monahans High School in 1952 and went on to pursue her calling as a nurse, completing her training at Shannon Nursing School in 1955. Shortly afterward, she married Harry Blanek, and the newlyweds moved to Houston, where she worked in the Obstetrics and Preemie Nursery at St. Luke’s Hospital while Harry attended dental school.
In 1960, their lives were forever changed when they were blessed with the adoption of their daughter, Kathy. The family returned to San Angelo in 1961, and in 1963 welcomed their son, Harry. Darlene devoted the next many years to raising her children, a role she embraced wholeheartedly.
After Darlene and Harry divorced in 1991, she later found love again and married M.R. Stokes in 1997. They shared ten happy years together until his passing in 2007.
In the years that followed, Darlene fully embraced a lifelong joy—dancing. It became her dedicated pastime, and she rarely missed an opportunity to be on the dance floor. She was a regular at FiFi’s on Friday nights and the VFW on Saturdays, and she even helped start a monthly dance at the Rio Concho Patio Homes. She treasured the friendships she made, the partners who shared those evenings with her and all of the hugs over all the years.
Darlene was also known for her exceptional baking, especially her famous pecan pies and prune cakes. She delighted in sharing her treats with friends and neighbors, even though she hadn’t tasted her own desserts in more than 45 years.
Darlene is survived by her daughter, Kathy Wahmann, and her husband, John; their daughter, Krystal Hopkins, and her husband, Chris, great grandkids Garrett, Kylie and Greyson; by her son, Harry J. Blanek II, his wife, Julie, and their children—Maria and her husband, Brent; Preston and his wife, Alix; and Kayla. Her stepson Kenneth Stokes and his wife Diane, and stepdaughter Mary Nell Jones.
She was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Lee; her mother, Ella Mae Lee; her brother, Wyatt Lee; her husband, M.R. Stokes; and her beloved grandson, Jonathan Wahmann. Stepchildren Jimmy Stokes and Linda Stokes Gomez.
Darlene and her family are deeply grateful for the compassionate care she received from her physicians over the years. They wish to especially acknowledge Dr. Warren Conway and his staff; Dr. Rudy Haddad and his team, including John Hedges; and, finally, Dr. Raja Cheruku and his staff, whose attentive care over the past three years helped make living with a cancer diagnosis seem almost asymptomatic.
Darlene’s community at the Rio Concho Patio Homes held a special place in her heart.
We are also profoundly thankful for the nurses and staff of San Angelo Hospice, whose tenderness and support brought comfort during her final days.
Darlene and her family remain in awe of the love and dedication shown by Kristy Perez and the caregivers from Accent Personal Care Services, whose kindness has been a true blessing during her final days.
Visitation will be held at Johnson's Funeral Home, 435 West Beauregard, San Angelo, TX 76903, US, on May 1, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, followed by the Funeral Service at Johnson's Funeral Home on May 2, 2026, at 11:00 am.
A Catered Reception will take place on May 2, 2026, beginning at 12:00 pm, and the Committal Service will be held at Fairmount Cemetery, 1120 W Ave N, San Angelo, TX 76901, on May 2, 2026, at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, Hospice of San Angelo, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or First Baptist Church
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