Tri-County News

Darlene Dodge, 69


Darlene Dodge of Cold Spring died peacefully Monday afternoon, Nov. 10, 2008, at Assumption Nursing Home in Cold Spring after a two-year battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Her husband and family were at her side. She was 69.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring. Friends may call after 4 p.m. Thursday and from 9-10 a.m. Friday at the Wenner Funeral Home in Cold Spring. Parish prayers will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home followed by a rosary with the Christian Mothers.

Darlene A. Stein was born April 10, 1939, in Maine Prairie, Minn., (now part of Kimball) to Anton and Clara (Bauer) Stein. She and her two younger sisters grew up helping their parents run the family farm. Darlene married Howard Dodge Oct. 7, 1961, in Kimball; they recently celebrated their 47th anniversary. Darlene was a member of St. Boniface Parish and the Christian Women. After working 16 years in Early Childhood Family Education in Cold Spring, Darlene retired in 2001. She loved her job and coworkers, but left her job to take care of her husband who was diagnosed with PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy). She embraced the challenge of caring for him with endless energy and optimism. In December 2006, Darlene was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and, by May 2007, it had metastasized to her brain. After brain surgery, she became unable to care for herself. In June 2007, Darlene and Howard moved into the Assumption Nursing Home where they shared a room. Her illness progressed much faster than Howard’s and, in her final months, Howard returned the love and support that Darlene had given him, holding her hand as she suffered the effects of chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and the tumors themselves. Together, Darlene and Howard lived a life of boundless love, devotion, and generosity toward each other and their family. Darlene’s gentle spirit, her kindness, and ability to see the goodness in life will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Darlene was preceded in death by her father Anton Stein, and niece Susan “Suzie” Decker.

She is survived by her husband Howard Dodge of Cold Spring; children Daniel (and Heidi) of Monticello, Toni (and Randy) Scheper of Lakeville, Steven (and Marcia) of St. Louis Park, Joseph (and Stephanie) of Oregon City, Ore., Robert (and Debbie) of Coon Rapids, Kenneth (and Heike) of Little Falls, and Tammy (and Brian) Ecker of North Mankato; 17 grandchildren; mother Clara Stein of Kimball; sisters Laura (and Barry) Hanson of Annandale, and Rosella “Sally” (and John) Decker of Cold Spring; numerous nieces and nephews; and loyal friend Maxine Backes of Cold Spring.

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