Darlene Puhalla

Darlene Eleanor Puhalla, 94, of Moorhead, MN, formerly of Felton, MN, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2014. Darlene was born on July 10, 1919, to Norton and Selma (Berg) Fosmark in Dwight, ND. She attended school in Dwight and Wahpeton and after graduation attended Hair Design School in Fargo, ND. On November 13, 1940, Darlene was united in marriage to Louis Puhalla in Moorhead. They made their home in Felton for the next 60 years. Darlene worked at various jobs including the Felton Grocery Store, Felton Café, City of Felton, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Darlene loved canning fruits, vegetables, meats and gravies. She also enjoyed making homemade bread which did take a few tries, but she eventually mastered it. Holidays, birthdays, and family reunions were her favorite times to entertain family and friends. This also included spoiling her grandkids as much as possible and maybe letting them win in a game of cards. You always knew what season or holiday it was when you drove by the Puhalla house as Darlene’s windows were always full of stickers or decorations with Christmas being her favorite. After Louis' death on March 26, 1996, Darlene continued to make her home in Felton until moving to Moorhead in 2001, where she had resided since. She enjoyed playing cards along with collecting cats – both statues and stuffed animals. Darlene is survived by two daughters, VonDell Malmskog of Moorhead and Debby Holte of Glyndon; a son, Norton "Johnny" of Lake Park; seven grandchildren: Eric Holte, Nathaniel Holte, Joshua Holte, Rhonda Barnick, Jill Iwen, Jane Malmskog and Judy Foss; and nine great grandchildren: Christopher Hendrickson, Michael Hendrickson, Avery Zammitt, Taylor Foss, Megan Barnick, Mikayla Barnick, Madison Barnick, Owen Holte and Jayden Holte. Darlene is preceded in death by her parents, husband, four sisters, two brothers, and one son-in-law, Jerry Holte. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, April 28, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Felton, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Officiating will be Pastor Karla Mickelson with Natalie Hilde serving as organist and Tom Peckskamp as vocalist. Pallbearers will be Eric Holte, Nathaniel Holte, Joshua Holte, Donald Erickson, Joseph Buretta and Roman Rezac. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters Rhonda Barnick, Jill Iwen, Jane Malmskog, Judy Foss, and her great-grandchildren: Christopher Hendrickson, Michael Hendrickson, Avery Zammitt, Taylor Foss, Megan Barnick, Mikayla Barnick, Madison Barnick, Owen Holte and Jadyn Holte. Burial will be in Felton Cemetery.

Darlene Puhalla

July 10, 1919 - April 24, 2014