Darline (Lyons) Kussmann
Darline Lucille (Lyons) Kussmann, 92, died on May 24, 2025 at Life Care Center in Carrollton, MO. Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Brunswick, MO on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. Pastor Theiss will officiate the service. A visitation will be held at Breshears Memorial Chapel in Brunswick, MO on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from 6:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Burial will be in Elliott Grove Cemetery in Brunswick, MO.
Darline was born on December 31, 1932, on the family farm near Forest Green, MO, and was the eldest daughter of Tony and Elsie (Thierfelder) Lyons.
Her first eight years of education was received at the one room schoolhouse in Forest Green, MO. She graduated from Glasgow High School in Glasgow, MO, and then worked for a physician in Glasgow saving money to attend college. She was the first in her family to attend college.
She went to college at St. Paul’s Lutheran College in Concordia, MO and completed a degree at Concordia Lutheran Teachers College in Seward, NE. She taught at Zion Lutheran School near St. Charles, MO and Salem Lutheran School in Forest Green, MO.
She was married to Paul Kenneth Kussmann on June 22, 1958 at Salem Lutheran Church in Forest Green, MO. They made their home on the Kussmann farm in Brunswick, MO. They were parents of two children, Nancy and Donald. Darline continued her education, receiving a master’s degree in education and continued her teaching career at Brunswick R-II Schools and Keytesville R-III Schools, primarily teaching special education. She taught school for more than thirty years.
Mrs. Kussmann was an accomplished musician. She began playing organ at Salem Lutheran Church at age 16 years and she continued playing organ for more than 70 years. She also directed choir at St. John’s Lutheran church and sang for many years at weddings and funerals.
She was a wonderful cook and throughout her life she decorated cakes, enjoyed gardening, collecting recipes, and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Nancy (Joel) Schnare, Bosworth MO and Donald (Karen) Kussmann, Brunswick, MO, one grandson Mark (Kathryn) Schnare, Hale, MO; four granddaughters, Krista (John) Townsend, Hannibal, MO, Katherine (Cole) Cruse, Brunswick, MO, Christine (Silas) Brown, Columbia, MO, and Kelli Kussmann, Brunswick, MO; seven great-grandsons, Daniel, Caleb, Malachi and Isaac Schnare, Hale, MO and Henry, Carter and Micah Townsend, Hannibal, MO; two great-grandchildren on the way; a brother, Calvin (Suzuko) Lyons, Forest Green, MO; a sister, Iona Easterhaus, Huntsville, MO; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Elsie Lyons; her husband, Paul Kenneth Kussmann; a sister, Christal Linneman; four brothers-in-law, Eldrin Linneman, Norman Easterhaus, Leslie Gottschalk, and Jerry Ehlers; and two sisters-in-law, Doris Gottschalk and Lucille Ehlers.
Pallbearers will be John Townsend, Silas Brown, Cole Cruse, Mike Kahn Jr, Doug Grotjan, and Paul Manson. Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Schnare, Caleb Schnare, Malachi Schnare, Isaac Schnare, Henry Townsend, Carter Townsend, and Micah Townsend.
Memorials are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Smile Train. Donations may be left at Breshears Memorial Chapel or mailed to the funeral home at 207 W. Broadway, Brunswick, MO, 65236.