"I am so sorry to hear of Darlene?s passing. She was such a wonderful woman and fantastic mom and grandmother. She loved her family with all her heart! And Liz, you gave her such comfort as she neared her end of life. I know she found great comfort from you. I know nothing will ease your loss right now, but at times like this I try to remind people that although they can?t take their worldly goods with them, they do get to take the love you shared with her! And the love in your heart will never diminish. She has found herself in the loving arms of God today and is once again reunited with all the loved ones that went before her. She may not be in this world anymore, but she is with your dad, your brothers and sister, her mom and dad, Jessie and Kyle and all the ones that went before her. I know she holds a special spot in her heart for you and all you did for her this last 2 years! May she enjoy her eternal rest in God?s loving arms. With love, Colleen"
In loving memory of
Darlene Thune
December 27, 1930 - September 12, 2018
Darlene J (Hilke) Thune, 87, of Pine Island died Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at Seasons Hospice in Rochester. Darlene was born December 27, 1930 in Battle Creek, Iowa to Franz "Frank" and Margaret (Bliss) Hilke. She graduated from St. Charles High School in 1947. Darlene became an employee of First National Bank in St. Charles and various purchasing departments in Rochester. In 1951 she married M. Richard Thune, the love of her life. They spent 60 years together until his death in 2011. They raised four children.
Darlene had many hobbies, including gardening, crocheting, quilting, oil painting, designing jewelry, breaking her own horses for saddle and training her beloved labs. She also was an avid reader and a "hell of a fisherwomen". Darlene received the Molly Pitcher award from Fort Sill, Oklahoma for work she did with her husband on the newsletter and reunion of the 300th Army Field Artillery Unit, "The Cowboy Cannoneers".
She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Thune of Red Wing, a brother, Gaylen (Ginger) Hilke of St. George, Utah, grandchildren; Erin (Brian) Karlstad of Red Wing, Michael Thune, Jr. and Ryan Thune of Salinas, CA, Stephanie Thune of Portland, OR, Erik Thune and Sarah Salyards of the Twin Cities, a great-grandson, Ethan Ruff of Hastings and many nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved. She was preceded in death by her parents, he husband, brothers, Gordon and Kenneth Hilke, two sons, Richard and Michael, a daughter Patricia Freiheit, two grandsons, Jesse and Kyle Thune and most recently by her faithful companion lab Inki.
Services to remember Darlene will be 11 a.m. Monday, September 17, 2018 at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles with Chaplain Carol Shaffer of Seasons Hospice. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Sunday and 10 - 11 a.m. Monday at Hoff Funeral Service. Please share a memory of Darlene at her online guestbook and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may directed to Mayo Hospice.
Tributes
"I have so many great memories of visiting Aunt Darlene & Uncle Dick at their house in Fairbault. We would play in the backyard or go to the local school to play on the playground. She was a great cook and baker and I feel lucky to have some of her recipes. Aunt Feetie, you will be missed. ?? Stephanie "