Darlene Mentele

Darlene (Cookie) Mentele, 78, of Spencer, SD passed away on December 12, 2025 at Diamond Care Center in Bridgewater. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am on Friday, December 19, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer. Visitation with family present will be held on Thursday from 5 - 7 pm, with a prayer service at 7 pm, also at the church.

Darlene Faye Sievert was born on February 3, 1947 to John and Evelyn (Fouberg) Sievert in Mitchell, SD. On the day of her birth, she was nicknamed Cookie when the nurse placed her in her mother's arms and said "here is your sweet little Cookie." She graduated from Plano High School in 1965. She married James Francis Mentele on January 22, 1966 and became a mother to 8 children. She had several jobs throughout her life and sometimes multiple jobs at once, but spent most of her life in the dietary department in several nursing facilities. She sold Avon, Tupperware, and several other products to people in town as well.

Cookie enjoyed bowling and was on a league at Melody Lanes in Salem, SD. She enjoyed visiting with people and loved getting a few hands of cards in when she could. She loved to be around people and loved watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow. Many people did not know who Darlene Mentele was but everyone knew Cookie and she knew them. She was always busy and when she wasn't, she would find something to do. Countless garage sales were held or attended but that was just a cover to be around people. If a person was ever around her long enough, they became familiarized with her saying "I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck."

Cookie is survived by: her children, Kevin (Tammy) of Spencer, Brian (Barb) of Salem, Angela Zoss (Adolf) of Onida, Rhonda Lautt (LeRoy) of Madison, Chad of Sioux Falls, Gloria Anderson (Bob) of Bridgewater and Jason (David) of Sioux Falls; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Maynard "Maxi" Sievert; sister-in-law, Sandy Sievert; many nieces and nephews and her extended Mentele family. In addition, Kimm Thrift (Kevin), their two children, and the 3 children and 4 great-grandchildren of David Salmen are considered extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Troy, siblings, Lucille, Ada (Emil) Kott, Dorothy (Roy) Kluth, Betty (Ronald) Thompson, Rosetta Sievert, Judy Sievert, Raymond Sievert and Harold Sievert and several nieces and nephews.