Darleen A Kautz

KAUTZ, Darleen A. 11/29/1936 - 2/6/2022 Darleen Anne Kautz was born in Parkston, South Dakota, on Sunday, November 29, 1936 to Herb and Anita Schumacher.She died on Sunday, February 6, 2022 in Omaha, Nebraska. After high school graduation in Parkston in1955, she studied Piano, English and Education at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 1959.She taught English and Music in private and public schools in Ohio, Washington State, Colorado and Nebraska.Her students included children and adults and all grades up to the community college level. Darleen obtained her Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.She retired from Millard Public Schools in 1999. For many years she also had a private piano studio as a certified Pace method piano instructor. As a church musician, Darleen served as accompanist on piano and organ to congregations and choirs.She directed children’s choirs for over 20 years and attended international choir institutes under the auspices of Choristers Guild.Her further musical contributions to church music included flute, recorder, hand bells and harpsichord. She traveled with her husband to 30 countries in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe, meeting with local people, sharing their food, and learning about their daily lives.She was interested in the whole world as she found it and greeted the people she met with grace and a smile. In all things, Darleen was a teacher of ideas and modeled the values of the Bible and Christian ethics. She felt deeply and strongly that everyone owes all people respect and dignity.Working with Amnesty International, she wrote letters on behalf of imprisoned persons for their proper treatment. In her free time, Darleen enjoyed bargain hunting and assembling stylish, color-coordinated outfits for every occasion. With her husband of 63 years, James Kautz, she raised three children, Tim, Beth, and Kathy, and was an enthusiastic grandmother to her 6 grandchildren. She believed each could fulfill their own special potential.Her compassion and tough love was as deep and wide as God’s mercy for all. Memorials may be given to St. Michael Lutheran Church (ELCA) at 13232 Blondo St., Omaha, NE 68164 and Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska 124 South 24th Street, Suite 230, Omaha, NE 68102 in lieu of flowers. Survived by husband, James R. Kautz; son, Tim Kautz (Katrin Kautz); daughters, Beth Kautz (Ulrich Koester), Kathy Henson (Dennis Henson II); six grandchildren; brother, Harold Schumacher Visitation: Friday, February 25 from 5-7 pm at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 13232 Blondo St., Omaha, NE Memorial Service: Saturday, February 26 at 10:30 am, also at church with a luncheon to follow View the livestream at: https://saintmichaellutheran.org/specialevents/