Funeral Service for Darlene Mae (Carl) Olson, 84, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. at Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD with Pastor Patrick Jenkins officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 19, 2018 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Grace Lutheran Church with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service. Organist will be Mona Greseth and soloist will be Sandi Jaspers. Head Pallbearer will be Cody Langager, with pallbearers Lyle Carl, Randy Carl, Gary Carl, Lee Nerison, Kelsey Nerison and Amanda Foster. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Stanley Gallagher, the Prairie Lakes Hospice Team members Tammy Langager, Kathy Johnson, Denise Zabala, Laura Frankenhoff, John Wright and all her beloved Godchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.   Interment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel of Sisseton, SD is in charge of the arrangements.

Darlene Mae Carl was born to Leonard and Margaret (Yeager) Carl on April 7, 1934 at home in rural Rosholt, SD. She attended country school near Rosholt and New Effington. Following her education, Darlene worked for various families assisting with housework and child care. She then worked under the sisters as a nursing aide at the Sisseton Nursing Home. Darlene was united in marriage to Gordon Olson on October 1, 1960 in Webster, SD. To this union, two children were born, Sally Ann on November 27, 1962 and Kenneth Gordon on July 18, 1966. They have resided on family hobby farm since June of 1964. Darlene and Gordon greatly enjoyed bowling on leagues in their younger years.

Darlene, a hard working lady, worked as a cook and baker as well as a grocery store clerk all the while working on the family farm. Her true joy was her husband, children, and extended family; first and foremost Darlene was a mother. Nothing was more important to her than her children.

After Gordon's death in July of 1993, Darlene remained on the farm and resided there until her death. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington, VFW Auxiliary, past President of American Legion Auxiliary. She coordinated the Sisseton Blood Drive for over 20 years. Darlene catered and served the Christian womens group since 1992 until her failing health in 2005, at which time her son filled in under her supervision. She found it a great honor to serve and visit with them. She is known for her cooking and especially her baking.

Darlene is survived by her daughter Sally Olson and her husband Michael Kelly of Minneapolis, MN, son and adoring caregiver Kenneth Olson of Sisseton, SD, and her honorary son Cody (Julie) Langager of Mt. Home, ID; honorary grandchildren Jameson, Jakoby, and Janessa of Mt. Home, ID, Rimere, Jaida, Shawnna, Shawn Jr. of Shakopee, MN; brothers, Douglas Carl of Sisseton, SD, Wayne (Beverly) Carl of Waconia, MN; sisters, Marlene Carl and Sandra Carl of Watertown, SD, Karen Nerison of Garden City, SD; sister-in-law Betty L. Carl of Sisseton, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years Gordon, her parents, brothers, Don Carl Sr. and Claude Carl; sisters-in-law Betty G. Carl, Esther Carl, Muriel Jacobson, Lorraine McIntyre, and Shirley Arnold; and brothers-in-law Terry Nerison and Butch Arnold.