Darlene Marie (Jadlot) Arndt of Adrian, Missouri passed away February 8, 2020 at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, MO at the age of 79. She was born on July 17, 1940 to Paul Herman and Jennie Lee (Thompson) Jadlot in northern Vernon County, Missouri.

The Jadlot family lived in the Metz area before moving to a farm south of Adrian in 1945. While there, Darlene attended Passaic School until the family moved east of Adrian in 1954. She then attended Adrian School for a short time. Darlene shared a love of horses with her dad, and rode whenever she could. She soon caught the eye of Gustav "Eddie" Arndt when bringing her car for repair where he worked. Eddie asked his coworker who that beauty was, and without hesitation, Eddie made his way to her folks' house so they could be properly introduced. Eddie would later become her beloved husband on December 22, 1957. Three children were born to this union – Lawanda Lea, Lea Ann, and Douglas Edward.

Darlene helped Eddie with the cattle, farming, and a large garden. She also stayed busy helping with their children's 4-H meetings and activities. Darlene worked a few years in her mother-in-law's kitchen at Alma's Café. In 1977, she began working as a molder at Bass Busters in Amsterdam. She enjoyed working with the ladies there, and had many stories to tell. She retired from Bass Busters in 1985. By 1990, grandchildren started arriving. Darlene enjoyed babysitting her four grandkids, and would say "watching the grandkids keeps me young".

Darlene was a member of the Adrian Christian Church and a founding member of the Western Missouri Antique Tractor & Machinery Association Auxiliary. She truly enjoyed working at the show grounds.

Left to mourn her loss, Darlene leaves her husband, Eddie, of 62 years; a daughter, Lawanda Engelhardt (Charles) of Adrian; a son, Doug Arndt of Adrian; four grandchildren: Tiffany Mellenbruch (Cole) of Adrian; Gus Arndt of Archie, MO; Andy Engelhardt of Fargo, ND; and James Engelhardt of Springfield, MO; one great-granddaughter, Sadie Mellenbruch; one brother-in-law, Don Arndt (Sue); one sister-in-law, Judy Shubert (Claude); one Uncle, Estile Thompson (Shirley); and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Lea Ann Arndt.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2020 from 2-4 pm at the Frontier Village in Adrian, Missouri. Darlene will be laid to eternal rest at Crescent Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Darlene's honor to the Western Missouri Antique Tractor & Machinery Association.