Darlene Miller

Darlene (Leach) Miller passed away on January 10, 2024 at 92 years old.

Born December 2, 1931 in West Concord MN to Mamie (Raleigh) and Louis Leach. She and her 3 sisters were raised on a farm and she graduated from West Concord HS in 1949. Darlene then worked in Minneapolis for Dayton's and Maytag before returning to West Concord where she married and had 4 children with Darrell Miller. They later divorced, tasking her with raising and putting the children through college alone. She worked for the US Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service of Dodge County for 10 years. She then worked for the Mayo Clinic for over 20 years where she was part of the inaugural Pacemaker Clinic prior to retiring.

Raising her children and attending their many activities was Darlene's primary focus. At one point, she attended her youngest son's HS football game Friday night, her middle son's at Hamline University Saturday afternoon and her eldest son's at Mankato State on Saturday night. She was also active in her community and served as the only woman on the school board in the 1970s. Like her parents, Darlene was active in politics and volunteered at the DFL office in Rochester during her retirement. Until the end of life, she was engaged in what was happening in the state, the country and the world. She began playing organ at church at the age of 16 and continued for decades, along with playing for weddings and funerals. She maintained a deep affinity for a wide variety of music her entire life. She was active in the United Methodist Women and served in many officer roles throughout the years. Darlene reveled in hearing people's life stories and could recite every detail in her storytelling. Following retirement, she moved to Rochester where she enjoyed working part-time, volunteering her vast organ/piano talent, traveling and spending time with friends and family for 25 years. In 2020, Darlene moved to Bel Rae Assisted Living in Mounds View, MN to be near her family and enjoyed the many activities provided and care received by their wonderful staff.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her children, Dan (Kathy), Doug, David (Pam) and Deanne (John Walker); 6 grandchildren, Jennifer (Gabe Mazorra), Melissa, Brandon (Molly), Bryant, Cameron and Monique; 4 great-grandchildren, Sebastian, Eli, Mason and Addison. She is also survived by her 3 adoring sisters, Elaine Leach, Alice Miller and Brenda (Duane) DeBlieck; nieces Paula (Ron Coomer), Shannon (Bill Rantz) and Kirsten Miller; nephews Chad DeBlieck (Erin) and Matthew Miller (Natalya) as well as very special great-nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes (5421 Royal Pl. NW Rochester, MN 55901). A private family burial will take place at Concord Cemetery.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Miller family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com