Darrel L. Lichty

A Memorial Service for Darrel was held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Geneva, Nebraska with Pastor Jeff Jensen presiding. Private Family Graveside Services were held at the Bethel Cemetery in rural Carleton, Nebraska. Memorials are to be directed to the E-Free Missionary Fund or the Carleton Fire Department. Darrel's Memorial Service will also be livestreamed on the Evangelical Free Church's YouTube Page. To access that link please click below or copy and paste the link into your browser. Evangelical Free YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@genevaefc Darrel Lynn Lichty age 80, lifelong Thayer County farmer passed away peacefully in his home on June 11th, 2025 from a recently diagnosed glioblastoma. He was born November 6, 1944 in Superior, NE to Don and Lois Lichty. With his siblings Cheryl and Mike, he was raised on a farm east of Davenport. Darrel graduated from Davenport High School (1963), attended McPherson College and the University of Nebraska, and served in the Nebraska Army National Guard (1966-1972). He married Connie Plambeck of Carpenter WY on December 15, 1968, and together they built a family farm near Carleton, NE. Darrel’s son, Steven, was born in 1970, followed by daughter Shari in 1972. As a young husband and father, he farmed alongside his dad, brother Mike, and brother-in-law Ron Schroeder. They also had a custom harvest crew that traveled south to several states. Darrel farmed soybeans, corn, wheat, and alfalfa. He continued farming even into retirement by doing custom work for local farmers. He was active in the Carleton community and Bethel Church of the Brethren and later Geneva Evangelical Free Church. Both Darrel and Connie served with the Brethren Disaster Relief and had the opportunity to serve and assist on multiple occasions. Darrel treasured small-town life, where everyone knew your name, resources were shared, and neighbors genuinely cared for one another. He served on Carleton’s Rural Fire Board—though his slight pyromaniac tendencies occasionally kept the department busy with minor mishaps. Darrel and Connie hosted several exchange students over the years as well as hosting Shawna Kenley Volle during her time at Bruning High School. In later years, Darrel and Connie volunteered at Wycliffe Bible Translators in Texas and also served with Youth With A Mission in Kona, HI where they volunteered their time in maintenance and meal service. They also did a Crossroads Discipleship Training School with YWAM. Darrel enjoyed a variety of hobbies over the years ranging from flying a Cessna, fixing up three-wheelers, racing stock cars, traveling, collecting toy tractors, and attending his kid’s events in Carleton and Shickley. He was always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor in need and could fix almost anything ranging from farm equipment, washing machines, and of course his beloved collection of Prius. Using a YouTube video, some JB Weld and duct tape, there was no project he wouldn’t tackle. Darrel and Connie enjoyed living in Topeka, KS for one school year where they were across the street from their Grandkid’s school. This house was lovingly called “Grammy’s Grub House” and many meals and memories were shared during that time. One of Darrel’s most beloved titles was Grampy and he loved spending time with Dominick, Boaz, Emmalia, Jachin, Jesiah, Tobias and Megan. Memories were made working on the farm, building Legos, reading together, catching fish and fixing multiple vehicles. Darrel accepted Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior early in his marriage and is thankful for the mercy that has been shown to him. He knows that when God the Father looks at Darrel Lynn Lichty, God sees the perfect record of His son Jesus covering him because he is a beloved, chosen and forgiven Child of God. Darrel leaves behind his wife Connie of 56 years; son Steven Lichty (Nairobi, Kenya); daughter Shari Bonura and husband Doug (Berryton, Kansas); seven grandchildren; sister Cheryl Bredensteiner and husband Gary, Sister-in-law Carol Lichty and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Mike Lichty; and brother-in-law Ron Schroeder.

Tributes

Darrel L. Lichty

November 6, 1944 - June 11, 2025