Darlene Mae Parker was born on April 21, 1945, in Vesta, Minnesota to the late Herbert and Erna (Gladitsch) Schrupp. She attended Lamberton Schools and later completed her education at Storden High School. Later in life she continued her education at Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota.

On June 17, 1960, Darlene was united in marriage to Derold Parker in Lamberton, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with four children, Derold, Lois, LaVonne, and Brian. For many years, Darlene work at Thynes’ Grocery Store in Storden and later owned the Storden Café, she owned her own glass repair shop, worked at Family Drug in Windom, the Good Samaritan Society in Westbrook, and the Adult Day Care Center in Windom. Through the years, Darlene had many enjoyments in life which included fishing, spending time with family and friends, working on puzzles, camping, gardening, reading, and feeding the birds in her backyard.

In 1994, Darlene was diagnosed with cancer and fought the disease courageously through the years until Friday afternoon, December 26th, 2008, when she passed away at the Sanford Regional Hospital in Worthington, Minnesota at the age of 63 years.

Darlene was a longtime, faithful member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Storden.

Darlene is survived by her husband of forty-eight years, Derold Parker of Storden; four children, Derold R. Parker of Alabama; Lois Grams and husband, Kelly, of Storden; LaVonne Redding and husband, Mike, of Barnesville MN;Brian Parker and his wife, Jennifer, of North Mankato; twelve grandchildren, Danielle, Nathan, Tyler, Julia, Mitchel, Corrie, Gretchen, Caroline, Hallie, Katelyn, Matthew, and Jaxson; two great-grandchildren, Bethany and Hudson; four siblings, JoAnn Schultz of Balaton, MN, Earl Schrupp of Brooklyn Center, MN, Roland Schrupp and his wife, Eleanor, of Burnsville, MN and Marian Yoder of Ohio; and several other relatives and friends.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents.

Darlene was loved very much and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Blessed be her memory.