Darleen Cora Risley, 73, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 28, 2021. She was born May 19, 1948, in Columbia, South Carolina, the daughter of Harry Jr. and Pauline Wright Hendricks. Darleen was a lifelong Rice County resident. She graduated from Alden High School with the class of 1966 and received her Cosmetology License from Sydney’s Hair Dressing School in Hutchinson. Darleen owned and operated The Beauty Parlour in Sterling and was a beautician for 54 years. She also owned and operated the 8th Street Alley ReDesigns with her sister, Dolores Nash, in Sterling. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Sterling; member of Beta Sigma Phi; treasurer for the Food Bank in Sterling; and volunteered at Reins of Hope, Hutchinson. Darleen enjoyed crafts, repurposing furniture and enjoyed decorating for Christmas. On December 24, 1966, Darleen was united in marriage with Robert Miller in Raymond. They later divorced. On January 1, 1982, Darleen was united in marriage with Doug Risley in Sterling. He survives of the home. She is also survived by her seven children, Stephen Miller and wife Traci of Great Bend, KS, Tara Claussen and husband Craig of Springdale, AR, Shandi Webster and husband Ted of Hutchinson, KS, Heather Percival and husband Matt of Wichita, KS, Heidi Taphorn and husband Tom of Manhattan, KS,  Jacob Walton of McPherson, KS, and Tamie Hinote of Wichita, KS; two brothers, Harry Hendricks III and wife Susan of Raymond, KS, and Geno Hendricks and wife Koni of Raymond; two sisters Dolores Nash and husband Dave of Panama City Beach, FL, and Dianna Pearson of Noble, OK; sixteen grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Darleen is preceded in death by her parents; father and mother in-law Glen and Eula Risley; daughter, Stacy Miller; and her grandson, Taylor Miller. Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church, Sterling with Pastor Amy Foster and Pastor Michael Gray officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 P.M at the Sterling Community Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. In lieu of fresh flowers, plants and memorial contributions would be greatly appreciated. Memorial contributions may be given to the Darleen Risley Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling. 

Funeral arrangements provided by

Birzer Funeral Home

214 West Ave. South

Lyons, KS 67554

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 1, 2021