Darlene Kloeppner, 73, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed peacefully out of the mortal world at GoldPine Home on March 4, 2020, surrounded by her family.
Family will greet friends on Sunday, March 8, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 9, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Phillip’s Catholic Church, Bemidji, with Father Chuck Huck officiating. Family will again greet friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church, immediately preceding the Mass.
Darlene was born on July 8, 1946, in Benson, Minnesota, to Walter and Isobel Lesteberg. Darlene graduated from Kerkhoven High School in 1964, and later in life, attended classes at Bemidji State University as she was a life-long lover of learning.
Darlene married Darrell “Whitey” Kloeppner in May 1969. They began their married life in Anoka, Minnesota, but moved to Bemidji in 1975. Darlene worked as a bookkeeper and office manager prior to retiring, and assisted Whitey with his landscaping business.
In 2005, Darlene was diagnosed with the cancer Multiple Myeloma. She survived two stem-cell transplants, and courageously faced numerous rounds of chemotherapy. She was an inspiration to all who provided her medical care and those who knew her.
Darlene’s interests, outside of attending her grandsons’ sporting events, included spending time with friends and family, bowling and sewing. She also loved music, gardening, especially flower gardening and fishing. Darlene was an active member of the St. Phillip’s Church community. She was an avid reader, as well.
Darlene is survived by her husband, Darrell “Whitey” Kloeppner of Bemidji; daughters Wendy Kloeppner of Madison, South Dakota, and Kari (Gary) Gregg of Bemidji; sisters Karen (Eugene) Wentzel of Murdock, Minnesota, and Mary Lesteberg of Denver, Colorado; and grandsons Kasey Kavanagh of Bemidji, and Nikolas Kavanagh of Bemidji.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Isobel Lesteberg, and a brother, Allen Lesteberg.
Memorials may be sent to the Gift of Life Transplant House, 507 2nd Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902, or The Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area, PO Box 191, Bemidji, MN 56619
Guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com