Darlene E. Zimmerli, of Redwood Falls formerly of Delhi, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2021 at Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls. A Private Family Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 2:00 pm from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Belview, Minnesota with burial to follow in Belview Cemetery in Belview. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service. The Funeral Service will be live streamed on YouTube.com/oursaviorsbelview. Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls.
Darlene Zimmerli was born to William & Nealy (Henning) Schmidt in Lamberton, Minnesota on May 12, 1934. She grew up in Lamberton and graduated from Lamberton High School. Darlene married Allan “AZ” Zimmerli on November 20, 1962 in Watertown, South Dakota. They made their home near Delhi, Minnesota where they raised their 5 children on the farm. Darlene also enjoyed working at the Country Kitchen and Zytec in Redwood Falls until she retired in 1988. Darlene was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Belview. Darlene enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, they were her pride and joy. She was a hard worker, had a loving heart, and would help in any way she could. She loved working on the farm and especially enjoyed fall and deer hunting season and spending winters in Arizona. She loved mowing lawn, her flowers and feeding her birds. She lived on the farm until 2018 when she moved to Garnette Gardens. She enjoyed putting together puzzles, watching game shows and playing bingo every week.
Darlene is survived by her children-Cathy Zimmerli of Redwood Falls, Doug Zimmerli of Tucson, Arizona, Tammy Nichols of Bloomington, Indiana, Joyce Woodford of Redwood Falls. She is also survived by her grandchildren Braxton Eischens, Megan Robinson (Ryan), Levi and Paige Nichols, Michael (Alison) and Shelby Panitzke; and great-grandchildren, Ava Ochs/Panitzke, and Riley and Adley Robinson. She is also survived by brother Devon (Mary) Schmidt of Bloomington, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Darlene is preceded in death by her parents William and Nealy Schmidt; husband, Allan ‘AZ’; son, Glen; sisters, Evelyn, Helen, Florence, Ruth Ann; Grandsons, Christopher and Tyler.