Darlene Carol Huddle

Darlene (Steele) Huddle, 93, passed away on October 31, 2025 in Yankton, SD.
Darlene was born in Winner, SD on April 21, 1932 and spent her childhood years in
Clearfield, SD. Some of her best childhood memories were of working alongside her
father in the town's one grocery store, which her family owned and operated.
Darlene learned an incredible work ethic from her parents, Walter and Maybelle. She
also learned generosity. During the Great Depression, Darlene often witnessed her
father sneaking a sack of candy in patron's grocery sacks if he knew there were children
in their homes.
One of Darlene's lifelong hobbies was reading. She especially loved the public library
that her dad had made sure to include in his store. When her parents moved the family
to the Steele farm outside of Clearfield and her grandparents moved into town to run
the store, Darlene couldn't find as much time to read. As the second oldest of thirteen
children, but no boys born until the eighth child, Darlene learned how to do the
challenging physical tasks that normally boys would do. Reading on the farm was
considered a luxury, but Darlene would still find ways to sneak it in by hiding books in
the hayloft in the barn.
Darlene loved school, and attended a country school house in Clearfield. For ninth
grade, she went to Winner High School. Tenth through twelfth grade Darlene attended
St. Mary's Academy, a boarding school in O'Neill, NE. She loved her time there and
grew very fond of the Sisters and priest, Father Werner.
After Darlene graduated from St. Mary's, she taught grade school near Clearfield.
Darlene taught many years in rural schools around the Clearfield area: Riverside
School, Sargent School, and Beaver Creek School.
In 1950, at a Friday night card party in the basement of St. Anne's church, she and Glen
Huddle would meet. The game of the night was Pitch. Everyone drew for partners and
if you won, you advanced to another table and changed partners, always advancing
towards the head table. It so happened Glen and Darlene got to the head table at the
same time and remained partners until the party ended.
They were married May 31, 1952 in Cheyenne, WY and their wonderful example of love
and commitment for 73 years was a beautiful thing to witness. Their marriage was
blessed with three children, Glenda, Jane, and Randy. They would continue to be a
formidable force in partner Pitch throughout their marriage.
Darlene was an amazing cook, and loved to garden, read, and journal. More than
anything, she enjoyed her children and grandchildren and attending all their activities.
Faith was important to Darlene, and she was a strong believer in the power of prayer.
Anyone who took a road trip with Glen and Darlene knew that the rosary would be said
at the beginning of every journey.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Maybelle Steele, and siblings
Joyce, Carol, Tom, Maureen, and Charles.
Darlene is survived by her loving husband, Glen Huddle; children Glenda (Huddle)
Bakke and husband Dale, Jane (Huddle) Megrdle and husband Phil, Randy Huddle and
wife Linda; eight grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and siblings Mary Ellen, Shirley,
Arla, Margo, Allen, Douglas, and Brad.
One of Darlene's favorite quotes was "A parent is a person not to lean on but a person
who makes leaning unnecessary."
Grandma, thanks for making us into strong people and showing us the only person we
ever need lean on, Jesus Christ.