DARLENE EVELYN LARSON, age 81 of Waseca, died at Foxdale Memory Care in Waseca on the evening of Monday, January 23, 2023.

Darlene was born in Waseca on August 25, 1941, to Leonard and Bernice (Lau) Brase. She attended school in Waseca. She was married to Keith James Larson at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca on August 20, 1965. They made their life together in Waseca until his death in 2004. Throughout her working years, Darlene provided in-home daycare, worked at Waseca Mutual Insurance, and most recently worked as a bartender and manager at the Waseca American Legion Post #228 where she was also an active Auxiliary member. She was a long-time active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca. Darlene was a caring, outgoing people-person, and she was quick to turn strangers into friends. She loved caring for her animals and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Darlene is survived by two children, Kimberly (Curtis) Nikoley of Waseca and Donald (Jackie Kuster) Larson of Waseca; four grandchildren, Jacob Nikoley of Waseca, Keaton Nikoley of Elysian, Camren Nikoley and his fiancé Jennifer Rohl of Waseca, and Lydia Larson of Owatonna; and one great-grandson, Brexton. She will also be remembered by six siblings, Duane (Lorraine) Brase of Waseca, Russell Brase of Goodthunder, Janet Donovan of Wells, Beverly Hawes of Janesville, Susan (Kenneth) Buchert of Mankato, and Linda (Steven) Koester of Tennessee; and two siblings-in-law, Lawrence (Patricia) Larson of Waseca and Kathy (Steven) Frederick of Waseca. She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her husband; two sisters, Mary and Cleone; one brother, Steven; one niece; and one nephew.

Visitation will be held at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2023, and will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023, with Rev. Bob Lund officiating. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.