Darla K. Auske

Darla Kay Auske, age 62, of Ellendale, North Dakota, formerly of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Benedictine Living Center of Ellendale, North Dakota. Her Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, January 2, 2026 at the George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Celebration of Life Service. Burial will be in the Hills of Rest Cemetery. 

Darla Kay Auske was born on June 8, 1963, in Mobridge, South Dakota, to Ray Auske and Carnelia “Connie” Neumiller. Mobridge would be the first of many places she would call home throughout her life, including Aberdeen and Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Bismarck, North Dakota; and Missoula, Montana.

Darla valued education and lifelong learning, attending multiple colleges and ultimately earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Her work ethic and caring nature were reflected throughout her career. She worked as an in-home daycare provider, a role that perfectly matched her deep love for children, and later served as a manager and supervisor at several retail stores..

In 1982, Darla married Ricky Irwin. From this union, they had two sons. Their marriage lasted until 2001.

Darla was actively involved in church activities, especially youth groups, and dedicated her time to the Boy Scouts of America. She found happiness in simple pleasures—playing bingo with family and friends, bowling, darts, and creating beautiful cross-stitch craft projects. Above all, Darla will be remembered for her generous heart, her devotion to helping others, and the love she showed to every child and person who crossed her path.

Grateful for having shared her life are her two sons, Eric (Sharayah) Irwin of Xenia, Ohio and Nick (Tracy) Irwin of Tea, South Dakota and many grandchildren, her three brothers Robert (Shelia) Auske of Papillion, Nebraska, Mark (Tammy) Auske of Aberdeen, South Dakota, Allen (Denise) Auske of Aberdeen, South Dakota and one sister Margaret (Paul) Swanson of Langford, South Dakota; with many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray Auske and Carnelia "Connie" Neumiller.