Darlene Kay Dorfe

Darlene Kay Dorfe, age 73, of Spring Lake Park, passed away unexpectedly on September 10, 2025. Darlene was born on May 24, 1952, to Delbert and Emma McLain in Mora, MN. After high school, she attended the University of Minnesota to pursue a career in teaching, and she shared her caring heart and spirit of fun with many fortunate students for over 30 years.

Darlene married the love of her life, Tom Dorfe, on July 7, 1995, and they shared 33 blessed years. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, affectionately known to her grandchildren as “Crazy Grandma Darlene.” She enjoyed a close relationship with her daughters and always made time to be with them and her grandchildren, whether it involved driving kids to practices, going shopping, or having coffee.

Darlene was a thoughtful and generous soul who not only enjoyed watching Hallmark movies but also kept Hallmark in business by faithfully sending cards to everyone she knew for birthdays, anniversaries, thank you notes, or simply because. She was

accomplished in sewing and created many quilts, pillowcases, and dresses for lucky family members, friends, and strangers in need. She was an avid reader who especially enjoyed books about spirituality, nature, and self-actualization. Darlene was an eclectic gardener who grew many beautiful fl owers and had a yard full of birds, butterfl ies, and bees to show for it. She said she was grateful every day for her 13 years of sobriety. She was a doting caregiver to many dogs and cats throughout the years.

Darlene had a heart full of love and will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her husband, Tom Dorfe, daughters Susan Imker (Chuck) and Kathleen Engelke (Ryan Russek), stepson Bob Dorfe, grandchildren Chase, Andrew, Lily, Makenna, and Lincoln, brother-in-law Roy Martinez, and dear friend Maureen. She was preceded in death by her parents, Delbert and Emma, sister Diana, nephew Derek, and many beloved pets.

Miguel de Unamuno wrote, “Our greatest endeavor must be to make ourselves irreplaceable – to make the fact that each one of us is unique and irreplaceable, that no one can fi ll the gap when we die, a practical truth.” She did. She is irreplaceable. She was a unique person who was never afraid to be exactly who she was: eccentric, wacky, creative, loving, concerned, giving, and spiritual. She embodied what it means to be a good human and always sought to make the world a kinder place.

The family plans to hold a private celebration of life.