Darlene Olson, 80, Luverne, died Sunday, June 27, 2004, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. Services were Thursday, July 1, at Grace Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Luverne. Mr. Brad Holman and Mr. Roy Williams officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.Darlene Smeins was born to John and Ella (Schwartz) Smeins on March 26, 1924, in Minnesota. Her mother passed away a few weeks after her birth. She went to live with the George Westerbur family and grew to womanhood in rural Rock County. She married Martin Olson on June 19, 1945, in Sioux City, Iowa. She was a homemaker.She loved her kitchen and was known as a fabulous cook who truly enjoyed preparing meals for others. Survivors include four children, Dean Olson, Rick (Deborah) Olson, both of Minneapolis, Allen Olson, Worthington, and Marcia Hilliard, San Antonio, Texas; five grandchildren, Casey Olson, Jennie Hilliard Kelley, Bessie Hilliard, Bobby Olson, Paul Olson; two great-grandchildren, Scott Kelley and Elizabeth Kelley; one brother, John Smeins, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and one sister, Ila Mae Wieking, Luverne.Mrs. Olson was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers and four sisters.A tree will be planted in memory of Darlene Olson by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital.Dingmann Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
