Darleen Joyce Cole

The funeral service for Darleen Cole, 89, of Cottonwood, will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow the service at Christ Lutheran Cemetery. A recording of the service will be available at www.horvathfuneralservice.com.

Darleen Joyce (Prairie) Cole was born on July 8, 1935, in Normania Township, Yellow Medicine County, to Glenn and Marie (Hayes) Prairie. Darleen grew up with her family on the farm and later in Cottonwood. She graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1952. On July 26, 1952, she was united in marriage to James "Jim" Cole. They made Cottonwood their home and there they raised 5 children: Deb, Laurie, Becky, Barbie, and Jeff. Darleen worked for the Cottonwood Public Schools as a Secretary for the Superintendent for 48 years, where she was loved by all who met her. She had an infectious smile that lit up a room. She loved getting to see her grandkids and great grandkids every day at school and they loved stopping at her desk for a hug before starting their day. Darleen retired in 2015.

In her retirement she enjoyed traveling to visit family, reading, playing cards, knitting, sewing and embroidery. Darleen enjoyed country music and was a wonderful cook. She was most passionate about her family, and loved watching her grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great-grandkids grow; she was lovingly referred to as “Grams” by them. She looked forward to family gatherings and it was often joked about that any occasion could be made into a party or reason to have a gathering.

After a battle with dementia, Darleen died on Saturday, January 11, 2025, under hospice care and surrounded by her loving family at her residence in Cottonwood. She is survived by her daughters Deb (Roger) Breyfogle of Cottonwood, Laurie (Myron) Kuyper of Brandon, SD, Becky (Doug) Kerkvliet of Custer, SD, Barbie (Josh) Cole-Deutz of Cottonwood, eight grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren (and one on the way,) siblings Duane (Anita) Prairie of Minneapolis, Les (Kelly) Prairie of Ormond Beach, FL, Greg (Linda) Prairie of La Crosse, WI, brother-in-law Herman Bahn of Wood Lake, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim Cole, son Jeff Cole, and sister Corrine Bahn. Blessed be her memory.

In memory of Mom’s love for her school please wear your Laker clothes to the funeral.