Darlene Josephine Flower

Darlene Josephine Flower, 81, of Benson, died Thursday morning, February 22, 2024, at the Swift County Benson Hospital. Visitation was held Monday, February 26, at the Zniewski Funeral Home, Benson, Minnesota, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. Following the visitation, people joined Darlene’s family at the Track Bar and Grill to share in a meal and to continue sharing memories of Darlene. A private family burial service will be held at the Benson City Cemetery.

Darlene Josephine (Moist) Flower was born April 30, 1942, to Oliver and Ethel (Conrad) Moist in DeGraff. She grew up in the DeGraff area and graduated from Kerkhoven High School in 1960.

    March 14, 1962, Darlene married Donald (Donnie) R. Flower. Their marriage was blessed with three children. They lived south of Benson and spent their summers at Lake Scandi. Darlene continued to live on the home farm after Donnie passed away in August 2015.       

Darlene worked various jobs in her life, but her primary role was homemaker for their farming family. Those jobs included Fingerhut, church secretary for many years at Pilgrim Congregational Church, James Studio, Erickson Photography, Paraprofessional at Benson Public Schools (the “whistle lady” as some people called her), and most recently she loved cleaning the meat cooler at Super Valu in Benson.

Darlene took pride in her meticulous mowing of many acres on the home farm. She was a wonderful cook and an amazing baker. Her fudge, pear pie, and harvest cookies were some of the best! Darlene had a knack for baking…her homemade raised donuts were fantastic. Darlene cherished her family gatherings including hot dog roasts on Memorial Day, 4th of July celebrations, weekly Sunday brunchs at the family cabin, and any other time she could cook and share. Cooking and baking were Darlene’s love language.

Darlene cherished lunches with her previous co-workers/friends. She loved spending time with them. Darlene loved cleaning, organizing, having fires, attending her grandchildren’s activities and sporting events and doing whatever project anyone needed help with. Her family was her pride and joy. Darlene was called from her life Thursday, February 22, 2024 at CentraCare -Benson Hospital in Benson. She attained the age of 81 years, nine  months and 24 days.

Darlene is survived by her children: Becky (Jim) Poppen of Cambridge; Kathy (Ian) McDonald of Hutchinson; and Rick (Rhonda) Flower of Benson; grandchildren: Cody (Jen) Flower, Caitlin Flower (boyfriend, Cameron), Jonah (Becky) Poppen, Elizabeth (Collin) Anderson, Mackenzie (Jack) Nermyr, Jake McDonald (girlfriend, Lauren); and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, several siblings, and her husband Donnie.

Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson assisted the family with arrangements.