Darlene Barbara (Ziebarth) Kenyon

Darlene Barbara Kenyon

January 14, 1961 - July 12, 2026

Darlene Barbara Kenyon (née Ziebarth) passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, at the age of 65, following a courageous journey with ALS.

A lifelong resident of Millet, Alberta, Darlene believed that a good life was built through family, community, and helping others. She lived those values every day. She was happiest spending time with those she loved, tending her flower gardens, and quietly finding ways to make life a little brighter for the people around her. Whether through a kind word, a warm smile, or simply showing up when someone needed help, she made those around her feel cared for.

Darlene met the love of her life, Steve, while they were teenagers. After nearly 13 years together, they were married on May 6, 1989. Together they built a life centred on family, hard work, and community.

In 1986 Steve took over J&E Motors in Wetaskiwin, where Darlene joined him shortly after, where they worked side by side for nearly four decades before retiring in 2024 following her ALS diagnosis. While Steve worked in the shop, Darlene became the welcoming voice and familiar face that generations of customers came to know. She answered the phones, greeted customers, managed the books, ordered parts, scheduled repairs, handled payroll, and somehow kept every part of the office running smoothly. More importantly, she genuinely cared about the people who walked through the door. She remembered names, asked about families, celebrated life’s milestones with her customers, and over the years, many became lifelong friends.

Outside of work, Darlene found her greatest happiness at home in Millet and at the family farm just outside of town. She loved tending her flower gardens, baking, painting, and preserving family memories through countless photo albums. Fresh baking was almost always waiting for family and visitors, and some of the fondest family gatherings were shared over homemade pies, cookies, and other treats from her kitchen. In recent years, she and Steve spent countless hours restoring the old farmhouse, and were looking forward to making it their retirement home.

Giving back to her community was an important part of who Darlene was. She volunteered with the Royal Canadian Legion for 30 years and dedicated many years to Communities in Bloom, helping plant and care for the flowers that brightened Millet each year. She never sought recognition for her contributions; she simply enjoyed helping others and making her community an even more beautiful place to call home.

Together, Darlene and Steve raised three sons while balancing the demands of family life and running a small business. Despite her many responsibilities, she rarely missed a hockey game, school event, lesson, or activity. She believed in leading by example, teaching her children the importance of kindness, respect, hard work, and helping others, whether they be family, friends, neighbours, or complete strangers.

Those who knew Darlene will remember her quiet kindness and gentle nature. She believed in seeing the best in people and rarely had an unkind word to say. She carried herself with quiet grace, never one to complain and always more interested in helping others than drawing attention to herself.

Above all else, family was the centre of Darlene’s life. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who treasured every opportunity to bring people together. Nothing made her happier than getting together with family, catching up with relatives and friends, taking photographs to preserve special moments, and watching her granddaughters, Astoria and Adessa, grow.

Darlene is lovingly remembered by her husband, Steve; her sons, Shawn (Ali), Tyler (Anne), and Dean (Alex); her cherished granddaughters, Astoria and Adessa; and her siblings, Diane (Cliff) and Doug (Bonnie). She was predeceased by her father, Edwin, mother, Nora, and by her infant brother, Daryl.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals whose compassion and care supported Mom throughout her illness.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Agriplex in Millet, Alberta.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ALS Society of Alberta.

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