Darlene D. Clikeman

1937 - 2025

Darlene D Clikeman

September 29, 1937 - July 13, 2025

Darlene D. Clikeman, 87, died July 13, 2025, at Madonna Towers in Rochester, Minnesota. Born and raised on a farm near Carpenter, Iowa, Darlene was the daughter of Elmer and Elsie (Krueger) Nicholson. She graduated from Plymouth High School where she played basketball, was a member of the marching band (snare drum) and performed the accordion. She furthered her education at the Allen Memorial Hospital Lutheran School of Nursing in Waterloo, Iowa graduating in 1958. Darlene married Theodore (Ted) Clikeman on April 25,1959 (they only first met on April 2, 1959, love at first sight indeed) in Grafton, Iowa. She worked at hospitals around the country while they traveled with Ted's job at the time. After traveling for a year, she worked for four years at the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital (Montana) while Ted was earning his college degree. The couple settled in Rochester, Minnesota in 1964 after Ted's graduation. She dedicated many years of her life to her nursing career, including Olmsted Community Hospital in Rochester until 1968 when her first child was born and she then became a homemaker. She also enjoyed working at the Mayo Civic Box Office after her children left home. Darlene always put her family first, which included attending all her children's activities and as many activities as she could for her grandchildren. She was a loyal Minnesota Vikings fan, loved traveling with Ted to visit family, cherished her time spent taking care of her dogs and her family's dogs, enjoyed spending time with her friends, was a member at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and an avid member of the Northgate Health Club. She enjoyed friendships through all her connections to numerous groups including her time at Madonna Towers. Darlene is survived by her daughter Andrea (Dave) Walkosz and son Chad (Jody) Clikeman, three grandchildren, Breanna Meagher, Sydney (Jordan) Bunt and Tyler Walkosz; four great-grandchildren: Aidan, Silas, Keira, and Jameson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ted, who passed away on October 1, 2018, as well as one sister, Irene Koster and two brothers, Duane and Bruce Nicholson. A celebration of life for Darlene Clikeman will be held on Monday, August 18, 2025, from 3:00 6:00 p.m. at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home (5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN). Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Paws and Claws Humane Society in Rochester as she loved all animals, but especially her beloved dogs.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Clikeman family.