Darline Joan Abel, 92, of St. Paul, NE, formerly of Grand Island, NE died Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Brookefield Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in St. Paul.  Visitation with family receiving friends will be Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in Grand Island, NE, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m.  Rev. Bill Pavuk will officiate.  Lunch will be served follow the funeral service. Private family interment for Darline and her beloved husband Millard will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to St. Paul's Lutheran Church or the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation.  Online condolences may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Darline's obituary.  Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Darline was born July 13, 1932, in Grand Island, NE, the daughter of Edward and Martha (Tagge) Preisendorf.  Darline grew up in Grand Island attending Howard and Lincoln Grade Schools, Walnut Middle School and graduating from Grand Island Sr. High School in 1950.   Instead of attending college, Darline chose working for the telephone company, later working for the State of Nebraska, Welfare Office and was employed at Countryman and Associates Accounting Firm.    Darline married Millard Abel on August 30, 1957, in Grand Island, NE.  The couple honeymooned at the Nebraska State Fair, thus began their love for the state fair.  To this union two daughters, Kim and Dawn were born.  The couple lived in Omaha where Darline worked for Peat, Marwick, & Mitchell Accounting Firm.  Millard and Darline moved to Grand Island in 1958.  Darline was a gifted numbers person, finding her niche preparing tax returns for Countryman Associates which she was welcomed back to the firm on their arrival back to Grand Island.  Millard worked for Kusak and Harmon Medical equipment sales company before owning and operating Abel's Nursing Home in St. Paul, NE later acquiring the Norfolk Nursing Home and renaming it Abel's of Belair.  Darline worked alongside her husband managing the books and payroll for the businesses.  In 1976 Millard retired from the daily operations, encouraging Darline to go back to school to obtain her Administrations License so to continue running the nursing homes.  Darline retired in 1982.

The Abel's were active in the Nebraska Thoroughbred horse racing industry as both breeders and owners.  They traveled extensively and enjoyed discovering and experiencing new cultures, food, and scenery.  Darline was an avid Husker Football fan, enjoying season tickets for over 50 years.  She was known as LaLa and YaYa to the grandchildren, enjoying Wednesdays with grandkids.  Darline was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church where she delivered communion to the homebound.  She participated in Stephen's ministry, and was one of the founding members of the Hats (helping another to smile).  She was a member with several of her close friends in an investment club called Poker Flats.  She also was a member of ITC (International Training and Communications).

Darline is survived by her daughters, Kim (Russ) Rerucha of Grand Island, NE, and their children

Ryan (Tim) Rerucha-Miller of Tucson, AZ

Andrew "A.J." (Katie) Rerucha of Grand Island, NE

Dawn (Albie) Werner of Grand Island, NE, and their daughter

Addison "Addie" Werner of Omaha, NE

Brother, Donald (Donna) Preisendorf of Grand Island, NE

Niece, Monica Preisendorf of Whitefish, MT and nephew, Brian Preisendorf of Omaha, NE, and other nieces and nephews.

Darline is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Millard.