Darrah Stephen

Darrah Lynn Stephen, was born on November 4, 1945 in Los Angeles, California, to Frank M. Dunn and Hollis (Holmes) Dunn and died unexpectedly, Sunday afternoon, July 9, 2023.

Memorial services will be held at 10 am, Thursday, July 20 at Chamberlain Chapel, in Chadron, Nebraska.

Darrah knew no strangers and would engage others everywhere she went. If she met you, she remembered you, asked about you, wished you well and wanted good things for you. She was thoughtful and generous without bounds. Gift giving was her love language and she paid attention to people’s interests and likes so she was sure to find something special for you. She was exceptionally skilled in bargain hunting and loved the thrill of the hunt for a good deal so her gifts were plentiful. 

She could find treasures and beauty in the ordinary and often shared her observations.  She was creative and had a great eye for design.

Darrah had a curious mind; she actively sought out information on anything that piqued her interest. She was bright, clever and had an incredible memory. She was a voracious reader, enjoying nonfiction and fiction. She enjoyed sharing the knowledge she accumulated. Her family history was very important to her and she was often tracking down leads to expand her knowledge of her family’s Genealogy.

Darrah's enjoyment of children and learning led her to complete her degree in Education with an emphasis in elementary education. She was a substitute teacher in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation schools and in the Chadron school system.

She deeply loved her family and was immensely proud of her children, their spouses and her grandchildren. She was very loyal in her relationships and highly valued her friends.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Mark,  her son, Mathew Stephen (Walaiporn Intarapapong), grandchildren, Preston, Jason and Ben; daughter, Carolyn Haney (Joe), grandchildren, Angelica “Ana” (Mitch Sexton), Claire and Georgia; and daughter, Susan Hoff, grandchildren, Autumn, Margaret, and Henry. Her sister, Johanna Dunn and brother, Frank Dunn, her uncles, Josh Holmes (Kate), Berndt Holmes, and Henrik Holmes (LuGene) Holmes.

Darrah was a dog lover extraordinaire, memorials may be given in her honor to Lightshine Canine: A Rez Dog Rescue, lightshinerezdogs.org, P.O. Box 36 White Clay, NE 69365 or a charity of your choice.