Darlene Bowden

Darlene LaMae Bowden (Starren), 87, Downer, MN, died on Thursday August 7, 2025, at her home surrounded by family.

Visitation for Darlene will be Monday, August 11, 2025, from 5-8pm at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Barnesville with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be 1:00 PM, Tuesday August 12, 2025, with Rev. Ali Haugerud officiating.

Darlene was born April 6, 1938, in Roseau, MN to Sam and Elizebeth (Johnson) Starren. She moved to Fargo, ND when she was 18, and eventually moved to Downer, MN where she raised her family.

She met her husband Paul through working with his cousin after she moved to Fargo. They married on June 15, 1958, in Roseau, MN and had a small wedding with family and friends. They lived in Fargo, paying $40 a month rent for an apartment. They bought their first house in Moorhead, MN. In September of 1974, they eventually bought a 16-acre hobby farm outside Downer, MN, where she lived until her death.

Darlene grew up working on the farm and at a gas station during her senior year. When she moved to Fargo, she worked as a waitress for her aunt’s restaurant. She was the bookkeeper and head cashier at Red Owl for 27 years. She completed her working career as an Office Manager for son Jeff.

Darlene enjoyed working in her gardens and flower beds. She won many blue ribbons at the Clay County Fair in Barnesville over the years for her flowers. Don’t forget the ribbons for her jam!

She started making taggies when her youngest triplet grandchildren were born and then selling them at a few craft fairs.

Darlene is survived by her children: June (Karl) Haeske – Jordan, MN; Jeff - Ponsford, MN; Cindy (Jeff) Picka – New Prague, MN; and Susan (Brian) Gunst – Scandia, MN; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings: Lyle (Lorlie) Starren, Glenice Viken, Dennis Starren (Sharon), Linnea (Tom) Horn, step-mother Beau Starren, and many nieces, nephews and step-siblings: Vernon (Lynn) Brazier, Curt (Patty) Brazier, Diane (Steve) Roseen, Gloria (Todd) Stahlhut, Brian (Shelly) Brazier, Paul (Anita) Brazier, Audry (Bob) Kast, and Roger (Rachael) Brazier, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded death by her husband Paul, daughter Linda, parents Sam and Elizabeth, and a brother Tommy.