Darlene Ann Kinning

Darlene A. Kinning, 92, of Bloomington, formerly of Shorewood, Edina and Forest Lake, passed away on September 13, 2025. Beloved wife of seventy-three years of Joe. Devoted and loving mother of Gwen Ryan (Tom), Dan Kinning (Rheannon) and Joe Kinning (Robin), grandmother of Kelly Ryan Stufft (Brent), Nate Ryan (Missy), Joey Kinning and Ryan Kinning and great grandmother of Charlotte and Lila May Stufft and Tommy, Teddy and Jack Ryan. Darlene is also survived by her sister, Patty Pederson, and brother, Michael Houle (Karen). Preceded in death by her parents, T.M. and Lorna Houle, and her brothers, Stewart and Wallace Houle. Darlene was born in Forest Lake on June 1, 1933. After graduating from Forest Lake High School, Darlene met the love of her life, Joe. They were happily married for seventy-three years and had lots of fun and many laughs. Their family life raising Gwen, Dan and Joe was full of love and happiness. Darlene was also a devoted grandmother and great grandmother, attending many school plays, piano and dance recitals, soccer and hockey games. Darlene was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Darlene also thoroughly enjoyed her career. After beginning her return to work teaching others "how to hang wallpaper" at Hirshfields, Darlene segued into color forecasting for the building industry and rose to be a leader in her field. She founded Colourcast Services in 1981 to provide color trends and selections, publish annual color trend forecasts, etc. Over the years, she gave many seminars and published articles about the excitement and emotions of color, appeared as a color expert on a HGTV series and won international recognition, including a President's Service Award and Lifetime Service Award from The Color Marketing Group. She also served for over 15 years on London's International Colour Authority's Home Colour Trends panel. Services will be held at Pax Christi in Eden Prairie on Friday, September 19 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Pax Christi or the Friendship Village Team Member Appreciation Fund.