Darlene Fagg

Darlene Fagg - A beautiful woman has gone home!

Darlene was an incredible wife, a loving and caring mother, an outstanding business woman, a family leader and a gift to all who came into contact with her!

It is hard on the family, but it was God's plan for Darlene, for as it says in Psalms 139:16 - "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

Her death from cancer was rough but managed well by her. Her life leaves us with thousands of memories.

Darlene was born in Miles City, Dec. 19, 1931, to Grace and Charles Bohling. She moved to Billings in 1934. Her sister, Delores Byington, and her parents preceded her in death.

She attended Billings schools and graduated from Billings Senior High. Following this, she attended the University of Montana for one year and then graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Teaching Certificate. As a business graduate, she set a record - women in those days just didn't graduate from a business school as it was considered a "man's" field. Her graduation was a rarity.

Next came marriage and a family. In 1952, she married Harrison Fagg, but in doing so never lost her identity. She was always a family leader and a person of strong convictions. The marriage lasted nearly 60 years, and, with courtship, 63 years. They first met in kindergarten.

Darlene's family includes: Sherril Burke, an Architect, her husband, Mike, and their children, Eugene (Lauren) and Michaela; Russ Fagg, a Lawyer and District Judge, his wife, Karen, and their children, Harrison and Barclay; and Grant Fagg, an independent businessman, his wife, Shelley, and their children, Landon, Delaney, Nick and Jessica (Bryan); and nieces Barbara VanBuskirk and Stephanie Taylor.

In terms of activities, although she placed them far behind her family in priority, she was active in many: Chapter Y, PEO, Junior Service League of Billings, State Legislature Wives Association, past Secretary/Treasurer of the Larsen AFB Wives Club, active in IDEA, Hilands Golf Club, Red Mountain Golf Club, Republican Women's Club, and several organizations that helped homeless pets. She was a member of Faith Chapel and active in the Word of Life Church.

In outdoor activities she was a backpacker and hiked hundreds of miles in the Beartooths with her family. She was also a downhill skier. The highlight of her outside activities was golf. She often came up a winner and joked that she kept her family in golf attire with "her winnings." She never missed an athletic or social event that included one of her children or grandchildren.

She excelled in bookkeeping and accounting and kept books for the HGFA Architectural firm and three other family businesses.

Darlene loved flowers, and her home and yard were always generously adorned with beautiful flowers and plants. Her standard comment was, "I don't care what it is as long as it blooms."

In business she was an active part and equal participant in all family businesses and developments including Granite Tower, the Billings Sheraton, Mauna Loa Village - a 141-condominium development in Hawaii, Garden Manor Apartment complex and many other smaller ventures. She wrote feasibility studies and did financial analysis of many business ventures, both for their own investments but for many others who requested her expertise.

She worked endless hours as her husband's legislative campaign chairman and got him successfully through eight primary and eight general elections making him a 16-year veteran of the Montana Legislature. She also worked tirelessly for her son, Russ, in his first campaign for District Judge putting up literally hundreds of campaign signs.

Darlene excelled in everything she did. Had a great sense of humor and a quick answer for just about any situation. Her number one gift was that of a mother and wife. Her common sense was a God-given gift and added both to her marriage and business ventures.

Not only was she a born-again Christian, but she wanted to see the whole family accept Christ as their Lord and Savior and was delighted to see that accomplished. Additionally, she firmly believed in higher education and was pleased all her children and grandchildren thus far have graduated from college.

Her life was one of giving - not taking or expecting.

The following from Proverbs 31 summarizes Darlene well: "When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised."

The above highlights a few glimpses of Darlene's 80 years of love and leadership to those who knew her and those who were close to her. Outside of her family and friends, she had two special loves: her "daddy" and her "husband." She is now with her daddy; her husband and family miss her very, very much, but as the song goes, "We will meet again … don't know when, but I know we will meet again some sunny day."

Goodbye Darlene - you were a treat to know and love. You set a standard that very few live up to; you were special. Thanks. Enjoy your new home - we look forward to meeting again that sunny day.

A memorial service will be Saturday, June 30, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral, 215 N. 31st St., Billings, MT. Father John Houlihan will officiate. A reception will follow at the Hilands Golf Club.

In lieu of flowers, please send your contribution to YoungLife of Billings at 2590 Holman Drive, Suite B2, Billings, MT 59102; or Help for Homeless Pets at 2910 Hannon Road, Billings, MT 59101.

Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cfgbillings.com through "Our Families."

Darlene Fagg