Cynthia Renee Darbro

CYNTHIA RENEE DARBRO, age 64, of Otisco, died on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at her home. 

Born on October 3, 1960, in Wichita, Kansas, she was the youngest of eight children born to Lambert and Wilma (Atkinson) Berry. She grew up in Derby, Kansas and graduated from Derby High School with the class of 1978. Following her education she began raising her family, welcoming her first born in 1979. She welcomed four more children and loved each and every one of them. Cynthia moved to Waseca in 1991, where she met the love of her life, Robert Miller. Together they moved with their family to Oregon where they ran RCM Quality Service for 6 years before moving back to Waseca in 2006. 

Cynthia was the ultimate free spirit but was also a fierce red head. Her children recall when she would get upset with her that her face would be as red as the color of her hair. She would often fumble with her children’s names so she would refer to them as numbers. She was known to her children in their younger years as “Big Red”. As a young mom, Cynthia experienced the passing of a child, his passing was due to a rare disability. Because of this experience she devoted her life to advocating for those with disabilities and was proud to pass this devotion on to her children. She enjoyed reading, writing and storytelling. She will be dearly missed. 

Cynthia’s wishes were to not have any public services, as she shared with her family the following, “I liked maybe seven people, and less liked me”. 

She is survived by her children: Carla Clampitt, Aaron Simmons, Tammy Darbro, and Kari Miller; grandchildren: Emily Mae Arnold, Madison Simmons, Corey Thomas Darbro, Jacob Nash Darbro, Laidon Mitchell Baumgard; siblings: Dale (Kathy) Strattman, Paula (Gary) Mendenhall, Pam (Don) Knowles, Susan (Tommy) Harkreader, and Cheryl (Joe) Forte; her special friends, Angi Morrison and Ben Davis; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Preceded in death by her parents; son, Thomas Darbro; brothers: Allen Berry and Wayne Berry; companion, Robert Miller; special aunt, Lori Gail Monroe.