Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sauk Rapids for Darlene C. Daniels, age 81, of Sauk Rapids, who passed away Dec. 11, 2021, at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta, surrounded by her family. The Rev. Thomas Knoblach and the Rev. Ronald Weyrens will concelebrate and entombment will be at Hilltop Mausoleum in Sauk Rapids. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids and also one hour prior to Mass at the church Wednesday. Parish prayers will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Darlene was born June 19, 1940, in Melrose to Wencil and Hattie (Spehn) Kvitek and grew up in Alexandria. She met the love of her life at the Minnewaska Dance Hall in Glenwood and married Art Daniels April 8, 1961, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria. The couple moved to Sauk Rapids in 1965. Darlene proudly worked as a secretary and the bookkeeper for Molitor Excavating for over 30 years, retiring in 2008, and partnered with Art in their construction business. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was involved in St. Monica’s Society, parish council, decorating committee and was one of the founding members of the Sacred Heart Fish Fry. Darlene volunteered at Catholic Charities, Birthline, the Treasure Chest and was a member of the homemakers group which developed into many lifelong friendships. She enjoyed gardening, red geraniums, cooking and daily walks. She will be remembered for her strong faith, hard work ethic, loyalty of Kirby vacuum cleaners and a pristinely clean home. Darlene loved her grandchildren dearly and enjoyed attending all of their activities and concerts. He favorite goodbye was “Grandma loves you!”
Survivors include her husband of over 60 years, Art of Sauk Rapids; children Carmen (Al) Molter of Le Sueur, Michael (Virginia) of Sauk Rapids and Karla (Jason) Fleming of Sauk Rapids; grandchildren Cayla, Lauren, Taylor, Noelle, Thomas, Anna and Ellie; and sisters Arlene (Laurel) Linder of Alexandria and Marian (Gerald) Kriese of Rice. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, LaVern Spehn.
Memorials are preferred to Quiet Oaks Hospice House.
A special thank you to all the staff at Benedict Homes Memory Care, CentraCare Hospice and Quiet Oaks Hospice House for the wonderful and compassionate care given to Darlene.
R-50-1B
