Linda Darfler

1950 - 2021

Linda (Lynn) Darfler

January 27, 1950 - July 26, 2021

Linda "Lynn" Darfler (nee Huck) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family at 1:28 p.m. on July 26, 2021 after a courageous battle with lung and pancreatic cancer. Lynn was born on January 27, 1950 in Denver, CO as the oldest of five children to Alvina "Midge" Georgina and Raymond "Ray" Henry Huck. She spent her childhood in Denver and moved to Helena, MT to attend Carroll College after she completed high school. She graduated from Carroll College with a degree in elementary education and was awarded "The Margaret Brown Memorial Award for Elementary Education Outstanding Future Teacher." Soon after she began teaching at Central School and met her husband-to-be, Ed Darfler, who was the P.E. teacher. The two eventually married in 1985 and welcomed daughter, Arynn, in 1988.

Lynn was the epitome of a loving mother and wife. She made sure to attend every single basketball game, track meet, soccer game, and gymnastics meet in which Arynn participated and only had to miss one competition over Arynn's long athletic career. She somehow found time in between shuttling Arynn to and from different sporting events to keep Ed in line during his coaching endeavors. She never blinked an eye at making locker decorations for the teams or opening her home to upwards of 20 high school athletes at a time for pre-meet meals.

Lynn touched the lives of countless students over her 35-year teaching career. She loved reminiscing about her students and telling stories to anyone who was interested. Upon her retirement, Lynn took part-time jobs working the front desk at two local businesses. She thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the patrons and reconnecting with old students that happened to come by.

Her life became fuller in 2017 when Arynn married Tom Kain. She loved nothing more than spending time with Arynn, Tom, and Ed. Life became even sweeter in 2021 when her grandson, Henry, was welcomed into the world. Lynn was able to get the first smile out of Henry and could calm him better than anyone by simply looking into his eyes. Henry is so blessed to have been able to spend time with Lynn before her passing.

Lynn was a very private person and hated nothing more than to boast about her accomplishments. Thus, a lot of the anecdotes we knew about Lynn came from others telling stories. Through these stories, we learned that Lynn was an extremely gifted pianist and played the organ for her church growing up. She was also a contestant in the Miss Helena pageant. Along these same lines, she would never have wanted anyone to fuss over or worry about her. Thus, she kept her health issues hidden from most and stoically faced them head-on. She was brave and courageous through her health journey, even when making the hard decision to forego treatment. She was positive throughout her entire fight.

The common threads throughout Lynn's life were love, kindness, and selflessness. It was not uncommon for her to anonymously pay off bills for people going through difficult times. She quickly and genuinely befriended anyone who needed support. She was always the treat and snack supplier at work. Hidden under her kind demeanor was a quick wit that could catch anyone off guard and incite belly laughs from all around. Lynn simply lit up rooms with her presence. She will be missed by all.

Lynn was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Midge Huck, and in-laws, Henry "Hank" and Cecile (Matthews) Darfler.

Lynn is lovingly remembered and survived by her husband, Ed; daughter, Arynn Kain, son-in-law Tom Kain, and grandson, Henry Kain; sisters Debbie Davies and Kathy Berumen; brothers Jim Huck and wife Karen Simpson and Steven Huck and wife Debi Jean Huck; her nieces and nephews; her great nieces and great nephews; and the rest of her extended family and friends.

A viewing will be held on August 2, 2021 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. with a short ceremony performed by Deacon Bob at 5:00 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson & Wilke Funeral Home and Crematory in Helena. Lynn's life will be celebrated on August 3, 2021 at noon at the Cathedral of St. Helena. A reception will follow at Anderson Stevenson & Wilke Funeral Home and Crematory in Helena.