Darlene L. Walhof
Darlene Lavonne Walhof age 76 passed away Sunday evening September 29th, 2024 peacefully with family by her side after a courageous battle with endometrial cancer.
Visitation with the family present will be from 5 to 7 pm on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at the Miller Southside Chapel, 7400 South Minnesota Avenue. A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Friday, October 4, 2024 at the First Christian Reformed Church with burial at Hills of Rest Cemetery. The service will be live-streamed at https://rb.gy/y0lmnz
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family to be donated to a charity of choice at a later date.
Darlene was born February 23rd, 1948 in Pipestone, MN to LeRoy and Evangeline (Lorenzen) Staeffler, she was the 2nd oldest of 6 siblings born to the couple. She grew up on the family farm around Edgerton, MN. She attended school in Edgerton and graduated in 1966.
She met and married her high school sweetheart Russ on December 28th, 1965, to this union 2 children Todd and Tracey were born. The couple made their home in Jackson, MN while Russ attended Vo Tech school and then moved to Sioux Falls, SD where they currently reside. She has been a member of the First Christian Reformed Church since she moved to Sioux Falls. She has been actively involved in various organizations in the church over the years, from teaching Sunday School, Calvinette and Cadet leader, Bible Study, Banner committee and whatever else she could be involved in. She also was instrumental in starting the Friendship Bible Study, a bible study for the physically and mentally challenged.
Darlene worked for Western Bank, First National Bank, McGladrey & Pullen LLP, and ending her working career working as a Business Analyst at EROS Data Center, where she worked for a contractor for the government. Darlene made lifelong friends at every job that she worked at.
Darlene’s greatest joy in life was being around family and friends. Over the years she enjoyed playing many rounds of golf, camping, doing puzzles, gardening, baking, cooking, entertaining on their deck and canning many of the goods from their garden. Darlene was a seamstress and has created many creations over the years. She was the lady who could create and fix anything. She was always ready to pitch in and help whomever needed something done.
Her biggest blessings were her granddaughters, “grandson” in laws and great grand kids. She supported her kids in all activities over the years and then her granddaughters and great grandkids events. She was and always will be our biggest supporter.
Darlene is survived by her husband Russ, Son Todd and LeAnn Rapid City, SD, Daughter Tracey Sioux Falls, SD. Granddaughters Amanda and Matt Graff, Worthing, SD, Ashley and Brady Berke, Sioux Falls, SD. Great Grandchildren: Hadleigh, Hayden, Holden and Hayes Graff, Brinley and Blaire Berke. Sisters Bev Downey, Farmington, NM. Wendy (Jerry) Evink, Edgerton, MN. Lori Deardorff, Newton, KS. Vicki (Daryl) Van Iperen, Lismore, MN. Brother Dan Staeffler, Rapid City, SD. Sister in law Connie (Glenn) Van Hulzen Blaine, MN, Brother in law Brad (Cindy) Walhof Laporte, MN. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
She was preceded in death in by her parents, parent-in-laws Rose and James Walhof, Son in law Don Paulson, infant great granddaughters Holly and Harper Graff, Sister-in-law Diane Staeffler, and Brother-in-law Lester Downey