Darlyne Ann Sheppeard

Darlyne Stucker Bender Sheppeard died of kidney failure on December 9, 2025 at KC Hospice House, surrounded by her children.

She was born in Leavenworth, Kansas on September 11, 1933 to Nova Stucker and Edna Andrews Stucker. She graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1951.

Darlyne lived on Alcatraz Island as a teenager, where her father was Associate Warden. She frequently attended the annual Alcatraz reunion, where she regaled visitors with stories about life on the island. An interview about her experience can be watched here: Darlyne Sheppeard Life at Alcatraz

She married Thomas “Wayne” Bender in 1956; he died in 1970. In 1976 she married Larry L. Sheppeard; he died in 2006.

What Darlyne enjoyed most was being a mom and grandma. As a young mother, she and her family moved frequently (each of her children were born in a different state!). She prioritized having a stable home and quickly became involved in the community after each move. Throughout her life, her home was always filled with noise & laughter.

Darlyne had an innate instinct for caring for others and a desire to bring them cheer. She never missed sending her loved ones a birthday card, guaranteeing delivery via an elaborate system prepped months in advance. She also was an avid volunteer, her service spanning teaching people with visual impairments to swim, helping at her children’s schools, and visiting and caring for friends who were homebound. Due to her experience living with macular degeneration, she also became an influential advocate for people afflicted with vision loss and helped found a support group to help fellow residents of the Tallgrass Creek Senior Living Community.

Darlyne faced life with a smile and can-do attitude. From flipping houses in the 1990s to traveling to 49 U.S. states and multiple countries (a favorite experience being helicoptered onto an Alaskan glacier), she encouraged everyone to live confidently, noting that “The only people that don't make mistakes are the people who don't do anything.”

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Nova Eugene “Gene” Stucker and her sister, Joy Stucker Renick.

She is survived by her children Diane Bender, Susan Bender, and Sally Jenkins of Overland Park, Kansas, and Thomas W. Bender II of Topeka, Kansas, and her stepdaughters Cyndi (Ron) Langston of Topeka, Nancy Anderson, Debbie (Mike) Ebert, and Kathy (Mike) Kurn of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, 16 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren (with one on the way), and many cherished nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to KC Hospice House & Palliative Care at: KC Hospice House ,or to the Tallgrass Creek Resident Care Fund (c/o Tallgrass Creek Philanthropy, 13800 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS, 66223). Please put "Darlyne Sheppeard RCF" in the memo line of donation checks.

Darlyne’s family will greet friends from 1:00 to 2:00 pm Tuesday, December 16, 2025, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm at the Church of the Resurrection, Wesley Chapel, 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood Kansas, 66224. The service can also be viewed virtually at Darlyne Sheppeard Memorial Service.