Darlene Deibler Rose
Darlene Deibler Rose was a born-again Christian missionary in Papua New Guinea during and after World War II in what would later be the Western Highlands province. Darlene Deibler was the first American woman to enter the Baliem Valley of New Guinea, working there with her first husband Rev. Russell C. Deibler. When WWII broke out, the Deiblers were sent to separate prison camps. Russell died at Pare Pare, but Darlene survived four years in a camp for women at Kampili, where she developed beriberi. She claims her Christian faith sustained her during those years.
After the war Darlene married Jerry Rose and resumed missionary work in New Guinea. After nearly thirty years in New Guinea, they relocated to the Australian outback. She died on February 24, 2004.
