Chad G Darling

Chad G. Darling, 47, of Wahoo, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Lincoln. He was born on November 15, 1977, in O’Neill, Nebraska, to Ed Walnofer and Cynthia Darling.
Chad grew up on a farm, where he learned the value of hard work early on and discovered a lifelong love of tinkering with engines and equipment. That curiosity and mechanical knack carried through his 25-year career as an Instrument and Controls Technician at LEC and Google, where he took pride in connecting the physical world to the digital one. Chad moved to Wahoo during high school and quickly made his mark as a talented wrestler. After graduating, he attended Southeast Community College in Milford and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Bellevue University. On June 14, 2003, Chad married the love of his life, Katrina Potter, in Auburn, Nebraska. Together they built a beautiful life in Wahoo, raising five wonderful children—Grace, Addisyn, Hayleigh, Isabelle, and Easton—who were the center of his world. Chad’s greatest joy was being a dad. Whether coaching his kids’ sports teams or cheering from the sidelines, he always made sure every player felt valued and encouraged to give their best. He was equally passionate about academics, supporting his children in every achievement and challenge. He is survived by his wife, Katie Darling of Wahoo; daughters Grace, Addisyn, Hayleigh, and Isabelle; son Easton; mother Cindi Darling of Valparaiso; father-in-law and mother-in-law Gary and Jenny Potter of York; half-siblings Chris (Ron) Batenhorst, Kathy (Dave) Hytrek, Patty (Jayme) Gokie, and Colleen (Dick) Adair, all of Atkinson; Randy (Misti) Walnofer of Columbus; Tammy (Ryan) Miles of Omaha; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Stephannie (Andy) Maca, Nicole (Nate) Trautman, and Alex (Delilah) Potter; as well as many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his father, Ed Walnofer. Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, at Pruss-Nabity Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday at Ceresco United Methodist Church.