Darrell M. Rains, 87 years of age, of Beatrice passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Society in Beatrice. He was born on March 24, 1938 at the Odell Hospital to Hiram “Bill” and Esther (Skow) Rains. Darrell lived his childhood years on the family farm south of Beatrice. He attended a country grade school through 8th grade and was a graduate of Beatrice High School in 1956 where he was a member of the FFA group. He was married to Florence Cullison on August 20, 1961 at the Blue Springs Christian Church by the Rev. George Warren Campbell. Darrell was born a farmer and was a farmer all his life. Most conversations eventually turned to farming and tractors. He was so proud that he could raise his family on a farm. He was known for his delicious sweet corn.  He raised and sold many, many bushels over the years, and the tradition has continued on with Howard and Nathan still raising it. 

Shortly after graduating, he worked for the local Chevy dealership for a short time, then began crop adjusting for ASCS/FSA until 1980. In 1981, he began his own crop insurance agency and continued working at it until December 31, 2022. Darrell’s son Howard joined the crop insurance agency and eventually bought it, but the transition from employer to employee took some time. Darrell enjoyed many years having breakfast with friends in Beatrice restaurants before beginning his workday at the office. He was an insurance agent for Farmers Mutual United Insurance Company for many years and a board member for several years.  At one time, he had a vending route, sold the High Plains Journal, was a seed dealer for Golden Acres and Micogen. Darrell served on the NRD board from 2007-2024 and the Natural Resources Water Commission from 2013-2018. He was a member of First Christian Church where he served as a deacon, served on the Wymore Southern school board and was a school bus driver as well. Darrell was also a long time member of the Jayhusker Antique Car Club, and the Blue Valley Antique Collectors Club. In 1989, Darrell, along with Charlie Weins coordinated an antique tractor display at the Gage County Fair at the request of the fair board. He also held an annual toy show for many years.

He loved his family and attended nearly all of his kids and grandkids grade school and high school sporting events and programs which meant traveling to Doniphan sometimes 2-3 nights in a row for programs. For Darrell, work came first so there weren’t many vacations. When Florence’s brother Maurice and his family came home on military vacations, even though Darrell didn’t have patience to fish, he always made time for fishing on a family farm pond. There were trips to Worlds of Fun with long time family friends Gailen and Barbara McMullen and their girls. After the kids were grown, there were years of countless weekend nights spent with special friends John and Jacki Denner playing cards and visiting as well as trips to Branson and a trip to Reno. Darrell and Florence made several trips to Branson with special friends Chuck and Mavis Hamilton. Darrell was a dedicated Beatrice race fan most of his adult life until mobility became an issue.  He usually sat in the same seat until he moved down several rows (less steps to climb). You can probably still see his imprint where he sat all those years! He was also a Kansas Speedway NASCAR season ticket holder for 20 years.

Darrell is survived by his wife of 64 years, Florence; children, Howard Rains and wife Jan of Beatrice, Melinda Sullivan and husband Chris of Box Elder, South Dakota, Warren Rains and wife Wanda of Beatrice; daughter-in-law, Susan Knabe of Hickman; grandchildren, Monica Odvody and husband Trevor, Nathan Rains and wife Tara, Betsy Olson and husband Dan, Colby Klahn and wife Taylor, John Sullivan and significant other Lydia Dally, Dylan Sullivan and partner Ryan Belisario, Stormy Rains, Austin Rains; great grandchildren, Thayer and Tobias Odvody, Everhett and Beckett Rains, Charlotte, Max and Riley Olson, Easton Klahn, Chloee and Xzavier Faz, Sterling and Stella Siefford; and brother-in-law, Maurice Cullison and wife Margaret of Burchard. He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Frank and Clara (Bergmann) Cullison; son, Russell Rains; and sister-in-law, Becky Cullison.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, November 7, 2025 at Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice with Jon Palmquist officiating. Casual attire is suggested. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice from 2 to 8 PM with family greeting friends from 5 to 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Cottonwood Hospice and the Gage County Historical Ag Society in care of the mortuary. Condolences may be left online at www.harmanwrightmortuary.com. Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.