Darlene Marie Rengstorf

She was born on her grandfather’s farm in Delhi, MN on May 16, 1934 to Laura Amanda and Frederick William Kuck. Darlene was confirmed at the First English Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls, MN on June 6, 1948. She attended Belview High School, where she was head cheerleader, homecoming queen, and a drummer in the school band. She also earned a pin in dramatics and was the first person in town to be fitted for dental braces. After earning her diploma in 1952, Darlene attended Northwestern Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis. She worked as a medical laboratory technician for Drs. Larson, Ingalls and Rothnum.

In early 1956, Darlene met William Harold Rengstorf, Jr. at the Blue Moon Ballroom in Marshall, MN. They married at the Redwood Falls Lutheran Church on September 29, 1956. Darlene and Bill raised 4 daughters in Cottage Grove, MN.

Bill and Darlene were active members of Zion Lutheran Church, where she taught sunday school and vacation Bible school.

She enjoyed reading, playing bridge, sewing, quilting, knitting and oil and water color painting. She was an avid golfer and tennis player. Darlene also worked as a Title One teacher for District 833, helping children learn to read. She earned her Associate of Arts degree from Inver Hills Community College in the mid 1980s.

Darlene and Bill enjoyed winters in Arizona and several trips abroad, as Bill earned awards in his work as a stockbroker.

Darlene is survived by her sister, Bobbie Olson, and her daughters: Heidi (David) Schumacher, Holly Rengstorf, Heather (Bill) Grillo, and Hillary Rengstorf. She leaves 5 grandchildren: Laura, Sally, Elli, Billy, and Jon; and two great-grandchildren: twins James and Patrick.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, William Rengstorf, her parents, and sisters Marjorie Anderson, Doris Hoppenrath, and Audrey Gimmestad. She was looking forward to meeting her grandson, Frank, in heaven.

A funeral service for Darlene will be held Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Road, Woodbury, Minnesota 55125., with visitation at 10:30 AM. Following the funeral service will be an interment at 1:30 PM at Woodbury United Methodist Church Cemetery, 7465 Steepleview Road, Woodbury, MN.