Cora Darlene Sprague - 1932-2018 On May 21, 2018, Cora Darlene Sprague passed away at the age of 85. Darlene was born in McCook, Nebraska, on November 22, 1932, to Louis and Julia Crocker. Her grandparents, who emigrated from Ireland and Yugoslavia, lived in sod houses when they first homesteaded in Southwest Nebraska. Darlene's father was a hard-working farmer who spent his entire life raising wheat, corn, and livestock after first homesteading when he was 10 with his two older brothers who were 12 and 14. Darlene's mother was a teacher in a one-room country schoolhouse for several years before marrying Darlene's father, Louis. Darlene's parents had nine children, most of whom were born during the Great Depression. Darlene was a middle child, the fifth one in her family, and she was the first in her family to graduate from high school. Her three surviving younger siblings followed her in achieving this accomplishment, and later, Darlene's two children would be the first in her family to earn college degrees. After graduating a year early from high school, Darlene moved to Boulder, Colorado, for a year and then to Huntsville, Alabama, where her two children, Sharon and Jack, were born. On June 15, 1963, Darlene married Benny Byron Sprague, her husband of 54 years, who worked at NASA as a mechanical engineer, and in 1964, they relocated to Pasadena, Texas, where they resided since that time. Darlene worked as a department manager at Montgomery Ward before retiring in 1992. After their retirement, Darlene and Ben spent much of their time traveling and camping throughout the Southwest. Darlene also spent time coordinating several large family reunions held in Nebraska. Her leisure time activities included gardening, sewing, reading, and bird watching. Ben and she were especially devoted to their two dogs, Dustin Hogan McIntosh, a Scottish Terrier, and Scamper, a Cairn Terrier. Darlene was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, where she taught Sunday School, attended Circle meetings, and worked in the Church Library. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Julia and Louis, and by seven of her eight siblings, Francis Karl, Bob, Bill, Mary, Jerry, Betty, and Larry. Her youngest brother, Mr. Keith Crocker, is still living and resides in Tallapoosa, Georgia. Darlene also is survived by her husband Mr. Benny Sprague of Pasadena, her daughter Dr. Sharon Dahnke Ninness and son-in-law Dr. Chris Ninness of Nacogdoches, her son Mr. Jack Dahnke and daughter-in-law Rev. Cassandra West Dahnke of Jersey Village, and her grandson Robert Allen Dahnke, J.D., of Washington, DC. Darlene was a devout Christian, devoted mother, loving wife, and a kind, thoughtful, generous person who continually placed the needs of others before those of herself. Despite many years of living with heart disease, Darlene continued to lead an active, fulfilling life, enjoying her family, friends, pets, and nature. Darlene will be laid to rest in the Houston National Cemetery on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, and a Memorial Service will be held next month at First Presbyterian Church to celebrate her life. To honor Darlene's memory, donations may be made to the and/or the First Presbyterian Church of Pasadena, Texas, in lieu of flowers. Published in Houston Chronicle on May 24, 2018