A Celebration of Life Service to remember and honor the life of Darlene Stender, age 89, of Lakefield, will be held Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield with Pastor John Schuetz officiating. Burial will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Lakefield, MN.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield.

Darlene Eloise Stender (Levell) was born on March 7, 1935, in Estherville, Iowa to Lumbert and Myrtle (Stade) Levell. She was baptized on March 23, 1935, and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Jackson, Minnesota. She attended school in Petersburg, MN and graduated from Jackson High School in 1953.

Darlene was united in marriage to Carlyle Stender on June 28, 1953, at Salem Lutheran Church in Jackson. This union blessed them with two children, Karla and Kerry. They resided on a farm north of Lakefield until Darlene moved to the Colonial Manor in Lakefield in February of 2018.

She was a homemaker and helped on the farm. Darlene was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield. She was involved in Immanuel Ladies Aide. She also enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and going to auctions with Carlyle. Darlene loved her family and all the holiday get togethers they had. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be truly missed by all.

Darlene passed away peacefully at the Sanford Medical Center in Jackson on July 19, 2024.

Darlene is survived by her daughter, Karla (Brad) Gartzke of Blue Earth, son, Kerry (Lisa) Stender of Lakefield, three grandchildren, Kayla (Kyle) Vos of Lakefield, Nathan (Jacki) Stender of Lakefield, Taylar (Daniel) Deziel of Zumbrota, MN, ten great grandchildren and sister, Nancy Hansen of Lakefield, brother-in-law, Willis Stender of St. Louis Park, MN, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Lumbert and Myrtle Levell, husband, Carlyle, brother, Robert Levell and sister, Bonnie Brown.

Blessed be the memory of Darlene Eloise Stender.