Darlene Mae Davis

Darlene Mae Davis, age 79, of Garretson, passed away on Tuesday in Garretson. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 A.M. Friday, November 12, 2010, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, with the family present from 5-8:00 P.M. at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson, with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:30 P.M.

Darlene Mae Davis was born September 16, 1931, to parents Carl and Stella (Holmberg) Benson on a farm near Hartford, South Dakota. She grew up the second of three children and would graduate from Lyons High School. Miss Benson married Duane Frederick Davis on October 10, 1953, at her family's beloved Benton Lutheran Church, rural Crooks. Darlene would work as a bookkeeper at Farmer's Union Oil Co., Sanders Printing, Hoven Electric, and finally Palisade Manor where she found her real passion and would dedicate 34 years before retiring not so many years ago. One of Darlene's best gifts was her joy of working with older people. She would work in many departments over three decades, but probably would enjoy most the simple task of beautician where she could make the ladies happy, at least for a day.

Darlene was also well known as co-owner and operator of the legendary Davis Motel in Garretson along-side her lifelong partner Duane. There was always a cup of coffee and a laugh or ten to share as six children, their friends, a myriad of customers, sixteen grandchildren, and six great grandchildren all learned about old-fashioned hospitality. Duane and Darlene operated the motel for 36 years before selling it just this fall. Darlene was a current member of many Garretson church and civic organizations such as Zion Lutheran Church and Circle, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Commercial Club, Senior Citizens, and Historical Society. She also was a Red Hatter, and bowled with the Split Rock Ladies League.

Darlene's ultimate love here on earth was her family and friends. She loved to travel to her children and grandchildren's sporting and educational events even if it took them halfway across our nation. Darlene loved to play cards with family and friends and never would pass up a dance. Even her battle with cancer could not keep her from one last dance with Duane just this summer at a grandchild's wedding dance. Darlene was a giving person and thoroughly enjoyed saving her last dime to buy gifts for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren for each and every holiday.

Darlene lost her twenty month battle with cancer at the same place she had worked for 34 years in the early morning hours of November 9, 2010. Darlene is survived by her husband Duane; sons: Wayne and Gwen of Wall, SD, Wade and Sherry of Lakewood, Colorado; daughters: Dawn and Oran Sorenson of Garretson, Deann and Paul Park of Brandon, Deborah and David Bonte of Garretson, and Darla and Scott Bly of Slayton Minnesota; one brother Lyle Benson of Sioux Falls; in-laws: Janet Davis of Wentworth, Marilyn Benson, of Canby, Minnesota, and Marilyn and Sid Qualley of Eau Claire, Wisconsin: and a host of relatives, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents and her older brother Arlen.