Darlene J. Jones

Darlene Jones, 62, died Sunday, October 18, 2009 at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, SD. Darlene Joan Anderson was born on February 13, 1947 at Watertown, SD to Alfred C. and Jofrida M. (Buflod) Anderson. She grew up between Strandburg and Watertown and lived in Minnesota, Oregon, Texas, and Colorado until moving back to South Dakota in 1983. When her children were young she enjoyed traveling, camping, hiking, horseback riding, drawing and baking. She always had a love for animals and a thirst for knowledge and education. She had attended Mount Marty College and was working on her degree in Psychology. Grateful for having shared her life are her four children, Mark F. Jones, II, Watertown, Monica K. Gruba and husband Mike A. Gruba, Milbank, Melissa L. Converse, Milbank, and Michael T. Jones, Minneapolis; and her special friend David P. Converse, Watertown: Eight grandchildren, Alec M. Schumacher, Sarah B. Melius, Stephanie K. Gruba, Samantha B. Converse, Taylor B. Jones, Matthew C. Jones, Abbey M. Converse, and Zachary M. C. Jones; a great grandson, Tate M. Schumacher; and a brother Dale Anderson, Mitchell; and her loyal companion and best friend Duncan. She was preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Jofrida Anderson and grandparents. Service were held at the Tabor Lutheran Church in Strandberg.