Darlene Joyce Jerlow

Darlene Joyce Jerlow passed away peacefully on April 20, 2018 at Bethany on 42nd Fargo, ND. Darlene was where she wanted to spend her last days, in the care of her beloved Bethany care givers supported by Hospice of the Red River Valley.

She was born on November 3, 1928 to Fred and Sadie (Ulney) Riden in Howard, SD. Darlene attended and graduated from Howard High School. After graduation she began working at the Courthouse in Minor County, South Dakota. It was during this time that she met and married the love of her life Vernon Jerlow; they made their home in Howard SD, where they welcomed two children Gregory and Rhonda. The family moved to Lakefield, MN where Darlene became active in the local First United Methodist Church and volunteered at her children's school. Darlene was a stay at home Mom, until she joined her husband in purchasing and running the local Sears store. Darlene later joined Worthington Federal Savings and Loan as a loan officer until her retirement in 1990.

Darlene enjoyed playing golf alongside her husband and several of their family friends. She was extremely competitive at golf and had several trophies to show for her success.

Darlene loved her family and was dedicated to making sure they all knew how loved they were. She cared for and was supportive of her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren in anything they wanted to pursue. She always made family and friends feel welcomed and loved, and her hugs were endless. Darlene’s kindness was offered to everyone she met, never judging but always treating others with dignity and respect. Her family and friends will miss her smile and hugs but will remember how she loved us all.

Darlene is survived in death by her daughter, Rhonda (Joel) Young, Glyndon, MN; daughter-in-law, Carmen (Joe) Howell, Detroit Lakes, MN; granddaughters, Jessi Akers, Fargo, ND, Katie (Jason) Baskin, Austin, MN, Paige Barbero (Mike), Boise, Idaho; grandsons, Nick (Katie) Akers, Whitehorse, Yukon Canada, Zachary Akers (Emmalee Larson) Fargo, ND; granddaughters, Jenny (Chuck) Backes, Glyndon, MN, Dr. Jodi Young & Dr. Quincy Conley, Gilbert, AZ; great-grandchildren, Gabe, Peyton, Nate, Ben, Austen, Evelyn, Ava and Olivia.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Sadie Riden; husband, Vernon Jerlow; loving son, Gregory Jerlow; granddaughter, Leah Jerlow; son-in-law, Tom Akers; and three sisters and one brother.