Darlene Carpenter, age 91, of Lake Benton, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at the Avera Tyler Hospital in Tyler, Minnesota. Visitation with a meal provided will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Lake Benton Area Community and Event Center in Lake Benton. A private family burial will take place at the St. Genevieve Catholic Cemetery in Lake Benton. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hartquist Funeral Home – Lake Benton Chapel.
Darlene Minnie Carpenter was born March 9, 1932 to Garret and Edith (Ackerman) Heidebrink at Rushmore, Minnesota. When she was three years old the family moved to a farm near Holland, Minnesota. She was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in Rushmore and confirmed at the Presbyterian Church in Holland. On completion of her education, she worked at the Pipestone Bakery. On August 30, 1949, Darlene married William Carpenter at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Woodstock, Minnesota. Their union was blessed with nine children – seven boys and two girls – and 70 years of life together. They moved to a farm near Lake Benton, Minnesota. In 1973, the couple moved to Lake Benton. In 1970, she started 24 ½ years of working at the Lake Benton School cafeteria, retiring in 1994. After retiring, she worked at the Carpenter Auction Barn. Darlene was a member of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Lake Benton. She was active in the CCW (Catholic Church Women), some card clubs and worked at the Mealsite. She enjoyed cards and the casino, but she especially enjoyed time with her family, attending sports and activities for her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.
Darlene is lovingly remembered by her seven children, Mike (and Lynn) Carpenter of Lake Benton, Minnesota, Gerry (and Mary) Carpenter of Dawson, Minnesota, Kathy (and Dave) Guida of Tyler, Minnesota, Joe (and Annette) Carpenter of Pipestone, Minnesota, Lonny (and Angie) Carpenter of New Ulm, Minnesota, Alan (and Cindy) Carpenter of Marshall, Minnesota and Jeff (and Sandy) Carpenter of Lake Benton, Minnesota, 19 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; brother, Marv (and Caroline) Heidebrink of Holland, Minnesota; sisters-in-law, Arlene Heidebrink, Lois Zimmer, Ardith Larson; and brothers-in-law, Conrad (and Connie Jean) Carpenter, Dan (and Judy) Carpenter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents; two children, Sheila Ann and Dale Alvin Carpenter; granddaughters, Libby Rose Carpenter and Michelle Marie Pajari; grandson, Ethan Carpenter; great granddaughter, Payton Nibbe; four sisters, Gert Zingleman, Etta O’Hearn, Hattie Wittrock and Irene Sumption; and three brothers, Mitch Heidebrink, Harm Heidebrink, and Alvin Heidebrink.
Memorials are preferred and may be directed to Darlene’s family who will disburse them among several local organizations.
