Darlene Engbrecht

Darlene Engbrecht, 87 of Marion, passed away on July 27, 2025 at the Tieszen Memorial Home. Funeral Service will be at 1:00 PM Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the Salem Zion (North) Mennonite Church, rural Freeman. Visitation will be from 4:30-7:00 PM Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at the Tieszen Memorial Home, Marion. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Darlene Engbrecht passed away on July 27, 2025 surrounded by her family following a brief illness.

Darlene Grace Woltzen was born July 30, 1937 in McCook County to Harry and Alice (Baker) Woltzen. She joined two older sisters, Mary and Anna, and later her brother Harold joined the family.

With the assistance of her pastor, Darlene moved to Sioux Falls to take a job at Sioux Valley Hospital as a Surgical Tech. She was very proud of her work in that it was essential to count and track all of the equipment and supplies in each surgery. It was in Sioux Falls where she would meet her future husband, Paul Engbrecht. Their dates mainly consisted of attending weekly church services.

The couple was married on September 22, 1961 at the First Reformed Church in Monroe. They made their home on a farm northwest of Marion and she then took on the role of farm wife. To this union three girls were born, Laura, Caroline and Muriel.

In the fall of 1973, Darlene started working as a Medication Aide at the Tieszen Memorial Home. In 1974, she started the Activity Program at the nursing home. She contributed so much to the life of the residents at the nursing home and took great pride in the various parties and programs she organized for the residents. When the nursing home opened the Parker Assisted Living Center, she helped with managing that facility while providing activities to the residents there that included her mom. She retired completely in 2011 after 38 years of service.

In 1993 Paul and Darlene built a home in Marion and moved from the farm to town. They enjoyed being grandparents to their 5 grandchildren, watching all of their activities, whether it was showing livestock or an athletic contest. They traveled near and far to USF football games including their National Championship games in Rome, Georgia. Whether it was before school, after school, or just because, the grandkids never hesitated to stop over to grandpa and grandma’s house. She always had some sort of snack or meal ready for them at a moment’s notice, hungry or not. Her love for her grandchildren extended to her great-grandchildren and she thoroughly enjoyed every chance she had to see them. She was able to see all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren these past 5 weeks.

Darlene took great comfort in her Bible and daily devotions. She completed quite a collection of notes and special scriptures. She also enjoyed spending time outside and tending to her flowers.

In April of 2020, when it became necessary for Paul to enter the nursing home, Darlene moved into Marion Assisted Living Center. This allowed them to be together throughout the pandemic where they developed a new hobby of jigsaw puzzles. They spent many hours each day putting together hundreds of puzzles together and attended many of the activities at the nursing home/assisted living until Darlene’s sudden illness June 21st.

Darlene is survived by her husband Paul, daughters Laura (Jim) Wilson, Caroline Andersen and Muriel Engbrecht, all of Marion. Grandchildren, Blake (Kimmee Helbak) Andersen of Longmont CO; Brandon (Kaylani) Andersen, Hockley, TX; Erin Wilson, Kansas City, MO; Kaycee (Korey) Johnston, and Alex Wilson, Sioux Falls; Great grandchildren, Pryor, Bowen, and baby boy Johnston due this fall; Camden Andersen, and Henry and Lucy Helbak. She is also survived by her sister Anna Wittrock, Marion, her brother, Harold (Joann) Woltzen, Everett, WA; sisters-in-law Mary Thomas and Nita Engbrecht, both of Marion, in addition to a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Mary Wells, brother-in-law Junior Engbrecht, and sister-in-law Pauline Pugh.