Darlene Faye Heckmann

Darlene Faye (Herrmann) Heckmann, 79, died on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Brush Country Nursing Home in Austin.

She was born September 11, 1945, to Alvin and Geneva (Rosenbaum) Herrmann in Brenham, where she grew up the oldest of four children. She was baptized October 14, 1945, and confirmed April 10, 1960 in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brenham. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church of Austin. She was devout in prayer and cherished her relationship with God with deep faith. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. She enjoyed attending church and family gatherings. She graduated from Brenham High School and received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Passionate about teaching, Darlene went on to help many young people succeed in math with her lifelong career in secondary and college-level math education. Darlene was always resilient and hopeful in the face of several health-related challenges throughout her life, and she instilled the quality of perseverance in her children and students.

Darlene is survived by her children, Cheryl (Buzz) Moran of Austin, and Rachel (Digo) Villareal of Austin; grandchildren Aidan Smith, Ethan Smith, and Felix Moran; sister Janice (Ron) Schlottmann of Brenham; brothers, Darryl (Linda) Herrmann and Jerry Herrmann of Brenham; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025, at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brenham, with Pastor Donna Krueger officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Lea Cemetery of Brenham. The family will receive friends and relatives Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel.

Serving as pallbearers will be her sons-in-law Buzz Moran and Digo Villareal; her grandsons, Ethan Smith and Felix Moran; and her nephews, Christopher Schlottmann and John DeVoke.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice Austin for the compassionate care they provided for Darlene.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to https://www.hope4austin.org/ or https://www.hospiceaustin.org/get-involved/donate/