Darlene M. Close, age 83, of DeSmet, SD, passed away in the early morning hours of January 21, 2021, in the Good Samaritan Center in DeSmet, SD.   

Darlene was born November 10, 1937, in Comfrey, MN, to parents Fred and Grace (Smit) Becker.  Marie Becker Lund Close was the third of four children.  The family moved to Sioux Falls, SD where Darlene attended and graduated from high school.  Upon graduation she worked at McKennan Hospital.  She liked to travel and see different curiosities and would recount fondly trips taken with friends during her early adult years. 

Darlene married Donald Lund in December 1962 and began a family, moving from South Dakota to Minnesota.  Eventually the family moved to Oldham, SD where they operated the family farm and raised 3 children, Mike Lund, Terrie Lund Riefenberg, and Keith Lund.  Darlene was active in her children’s lives, making sure to attend sporting events, band concerts, plays and 4-H events.  Darlene was artistic and loved to express her creativity through all types of arts and craft projects.  Darlene also loved animals and was particularly fond of her pet dogs Lady and Rosie.  Divorced in 1987, Darlene moved to DeSmet, SD and worked in the Kingsbury County Register of Deeds and Community Action office for many years.  She gained much joy helping people and working with the public. Darlene married Andrew Close and lived together in DeSmet until his death in 2018. 

Darlene is survived by her children: Mike Lund & his wife Laurie of Seattle, WA, Terrie Lund Riefenberg and her husband Paul of Gastonia, NC, and Keith Lund and his wife Tanya, their two children Carissa and her husband Cody Krause and Hunter; and her great grandchildren, Caydin and Cadhla Krause of Omaha, NE; her brother Dennis Becker of Sioux Falls, and her sister Patricia Russell, also of Sioux Falls, SD.

No funeral services will be held at this time.

 

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel   www.crawfordosthus.com