Darlene Joanne Harkness, age 73, of Leoti, Kansas, passed away at the Parklane Nursing home in Scott City, Kansas, on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. She was the daughter of Matthew and Kathryn Gittinger Ford. Darlene was born on June 27, 1952, in Goodland, Kansas. Her family moved from Bird City to Leoti during the first year of her life, and she remained a member of the community throughout her whole life.
Darlene was involved in several groups, including the Wichita County Genealogical Society, the Museum of the Great Plains, and the Community Thrift Shoppe. She was a member of the Parks Presbyterian Church that later became the Carwood Community Church. She was involved in several businesses, but was most often found as the office manager for Harkness Welding. On August 24, 1970, Darlene married Tony P. Harkness in Leoti, Kansas. He survives. Darlene’s survivors include her husband; son , Br y an A . Harkness of Leoti, Kansas; daughter, Heather & Kyle Leimkuhler of Leoti, Kansas; siblings, Marlene Ribbing of Leoti, Kansas, Matthew Randall & Tanya Ford of Juniata, Nebraska, Kristine & Kenneth Bollinger of Scott City, Kansas, Kathleen Long of Ellis, Kansas, and Michael Ford of Dallas, Texas.
Darlene is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Richard Ford.
Graveside services will be held at the Carwood Cemetery on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with pastor Aron White presiding.
There will be no visitation times.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to the “Museum of the Great Plains,” “Wichita County Genealogical Society,” or the “Leoti EMS” in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 161, Leoti, KS 67861.
