Darlene Wendt

Darlene Wendt, age 70, of Twin Valley, MN, died Tuesday, May 22, 2012, in Twin Valley Living Center, Twin Valley. Darlene M. Garner was born September 28, 1941, the daughter of Harold and Frances (Stauffacher) Garner in Minneapolis, MN. She was raised in Bloomington, MN, where she attended school and graduated with the class of 1959. On June 13, 1959, Darlene was united in marriage to Darrell Wendt in Bloomington. The couple made their home in the Twin Cities until 1964 when they moved to California. While in California, Darlene was employed as a switchboard operator until 1976, when the couple returned to Minnesota and settled into a home near Strawberry Lake. For several years, Darlene was employed as a switchboard operator at Bell Telephone Company in Detroit Lakes. In 1990, she and Darrell purchased the Tulaby Lake Inn which they owned and operated until selling it to their daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Kim, in 1999. At that time they moved to the Twin Valley community and Darlene was employed for a time at the Shooting Star Casino as a switchboard operator, retiring in 2008. Darrell died on September 21st, 2003. Darlene continued to make her home east of Twin Valley until moving into the Weimer homes. She entered the Twin Valley Living Center a couple of weeks ago due to failing health. Darlene’s favorite past times included camping, gardening, putting up her produce from her vegetable garden, caring for animals such as her chickens and an occasional trip to the casino. Darlene is survived by a son, Dan Wendt of Twin Valley, MN; daughters, Wendy Harstad of Callaway, MN and Heidi (Dan) Harstad of Detroit Lakes, MN; brothers, Sonny Garner of Las Vegas, NV and Rick (Kelly) Garner of Alexandria, MN; a sister, Debbie (Nate) Milazzo of Oak Grove, MN; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and a son-in-law, Kim. A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, May 29, at 2:00 p.m. in Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley. A Time of Gathering was one hour before services at the church on Tuesday. Officiating was Pastor Al Brooks. Inurnment was in Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley.

Darlene Wendt

September 28, 1941 - May 22, 2012