Darlene Brandt
November 28, 1934 - February 25, 2017

A funeral for Darlene Brandt will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Lakota, Iowa with Pastor Judy Junkermeier officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM on Friday at Oakcrest Funeral Services - Winter Chapel in Buffalo Center and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. A second service will be held on Sunday at 3:00 PM at Hosanna Lutheran Church, Rochester, MN with Pastor Bill Meier officiating. Her family will greet friends from 2 PM Sunday at the church until time of service.

Darlene Wilma (Ennen) Brandt , 82 of Rochester, MN, formally from the Titonka and Lakota area was born on November 28, 1934. She passed away on February 25, 2017 at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt, IA.

The daughter of George and Annie (Rippentrop) Ennen was born at home in Lakota, Iowa where she was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church in Lakota. She lived her whole school life south of Lakota graduating from high school in 1953. After high school she worked a year as a Nurses Aid at the Buffalo Center, IA hospital.

On July 25, 1954 she married Raymond Brandt in Lakota, Iowa. She lived on a farm outside of Titonka and to this union five sons were born. They were later divorced. In 1989 she moved to Rochester, MN where she worked at Ye Old Butcher Shoppe. In July that year she was hired by St. Mary's Hospital in their housekeeping unit. Darlene retired from St. Mary's after 10 years. She continued her employment with Insty Prints for another 5 years in their binding department.

She became a member of Hosanna Lutheran Church in Rochester and was active in their Women's Group, Quilting, and served as a deacon for 2 years. She enjoyed being on multiple committees and helping wherever she could. She was a member of the Senior Citizens, belonged to Hilltoppers at church, and was President of the Woman's group at her former church.

In 2010 Darlene moved to Gramercy Park, a senior living coop where she served on their board for 3 years. At the time of her illness, Darlene still resided at Gramercy and was known for her love of baking and cooking for the meals and meetings they had at Gramercy.

She loved to dance and enjoyed square dancing for many years along with playing cards, Bunco, swimming, and other activities. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren when they came to visit in the summer. She took the time to make their visits special with activities for each one of them. She was proud of everyone.

Darlene is survived by her five sons, Gregory (Anne) Brandt of Woden, IA, Marlin (Nancy) Brandt of Titonka, IA, Darrell (Susan) Brandt of Rake, IA, Kevin Brandt and special friend De Schara of Hastings, MN, and William (Joleen) Brandt of Webster, MN, ten grandchildren, Jason (Nicole Lovik) Blaser, Nicole (Stanley) Niece, Dylan (Aleysha) Brandt, Tessa Brandt, Renae (Aaron) Aukes, Matthew (Heather) Brandt, Shannon (Melissa) Brandt, Lucas Brandt, Alis Brandt, and Joshua Brandt, eleven great grandchildren, two sisters, Margaret (Earl) Westphal of Mankato, MN and Patricia (Gene) Weringa of Grasston, MN along with many close friends she made over the years. She was preceded in death by her parents.

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