Darlene Ardis Senechal

Darlene Senechal
February 15, 1936 - October 11, 2024
Darlene Ardis Senechal passed away peacefully on October 11, 2024 at Bethesda Long Term Acute Care Hospital in St Paul, MN at the age of 88.
In 1936 Darlene was born in Argusville, ND to Ida and Severin Ohnstad. Growing up on the family farm she learned how to work hard and developed her deep faith in Jesus. Her commitment to her church inspired her countless hours of service where she cared deeply for others, especially those who were hurting. She led a quilting group at Crossview Lutheran Church, making lap quilts for women's shelters, shut-ins and Vets, and organized volunteers and worked at Global Health, an organization that sends medical equipment and supplies to overseas hospitals and orphanages. With her warm smile and twinkle in her eye, she could get down on the floor and play with little kids, laugh until she cried, bring comfort food to the sick, and lend a listening ear whenever needed. Darlene's gardens were filled with flowers from her mom's garden on the farm and were lovingly cared for and nurtured. She shared many of her plants with her daughters, friends, her church and even the church next door to the apartment they moved to a year ago.
No one went hungry around Darlene. Her home-cooked meals and times around her table are cherished memories for many. She made hundreds of cookies each December and gave most of them away as Christmas gifts. Holidays in her house were the noisy kind. The house was filled with laughter, great food, raucous card games and sometimes music performed by everyone in attendance.
She brought music into many people's lives, teaching accordion lessons to over 100 students when she was a teenager. When she met Calvin Senechal they formed a band, with Darlene on the accordion, Calvin on the fiddle and a friend on bass, playing for events and barn dances in the Fargo, ND area up until the weekend before their wedding in 1957. They were married 67 years, had 4 children and built a lifetime of wonderful memories founded on love, faith and service to others. Everyone she inspired will profoundly feel her absence.
Darlene is survived by her husband, Calvin Senechal, 4 children: Laurie Senechal, Linda (and John) Stasieluk, Brian (and Mary Beth) Senechal, Lisa (and Joel) Vokaty, 6 grandchildren: Leah Stasieluk (and Alex Novak), Dana (and Alex) Behrend, Grant (and Hannah) Senechal, Carter (and Rachel) Senechal, Taya Vokaty (and Mark Scheller), Connor Vokaty and 2 great grandchildren, Wayne Calvin Senechal and Rose Mary Senechal.
Her service will be held on Friday, October 18 at Crossview Lutheran Church, 6645 McCauley Trail W, Edina, MN 55439. Visitation at 10:00 am, funeral at 11:00 am and lunch reception to follow at the church.
Memorials may be directed to Global Health Ministries.