Darlene Anderson

1940 - 2025

Darlene Mae Anderson (Bridge), age 84, passed away peacefully from heart failure, leaving behind a lifetime filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Though her married name was Bridge, she reclaimed Anderson and carried it proudly for the rest of her life.

Born in 1940, she grew up in the unique space between two eras - just after the Great Depression and World War II and right before the "Baby Boom" generation. Her parents, Iver and Verla Feist Anderson from Buffalo, SD, were part of the "Greatest Generation" and were respected business owners in Rapid City, South Dakota. They joyfully celebrated the arrival of their third daughter, completing their family. Darlene attended Cleghorn Elementary School, a short distance from the family's Canyon Lake home. Darlene was a bright, spirited child. With her striking resemblance to Doris Day, she became affectionately known as "Doris" among friends.

Music was always part of her life. Alongside her sisters, Val and Marla, they formed the Anderson Sisters, a singing trio whose harmonies delighted family, friends, and patrons at church and special events. Their music lives on in treasured vinyl recordings. Growing up as a teen in the 50s, the sisters playfully quarreled over how many poodle skirts each of them owned.

Growing up in a household with a mother who was a "career woman" and women's rights activist, Darlene yearned for a more traditional role. She married young, and embraced motherhood, devoting her early years to raising a family and creating a stable, family-centered home. It was a busy home dominated by boys and sports. The family moved a final time to sunny California in 1977 following her sisters. She co-owned and operated Michael's Disco/Arcade and White Star Mine Health Club. After her four children left the nest, Darlene earned her real estate license, a teaching certificate, and eventually channeled her independence into owning and operating a jewelry store on Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. She featured Black Hills Gold jewelry amongst other local artisan works.

Darlene loved learning and had a particular fondness for biographies especially about celebrities and iconic figures. She also enjoyed lighter reading, often flipping through tabloid magazines to keep up with the lives of stars and celebrities. These were often delivered with a hot coffee from her son, Mitch. Darlene had a playful side and found great joy in games especially in her senior years - Bingo and Yahtzee were her favorites. With multiple Bingo cards spread out in front of her or adding up Yahtzee scores in her head - she had a knack for winning and was the spirit of fun in everything she did.

In her later years, she shared a special chapter in her life with her sister, Marla, as roommates while both were residents of a Long Beach nursing home. The two became inseparable companions, often binge-watching Bridgerton on Netflix - again and again - both happily crushing on The Duke, and covering their faces during the romantic scenes like two school girls. The work staff adored her and often stopped to say hello. The two sister's room was a favorite in the home.

Darlene will be remembered for her beauty, her intelligence, her resilience and her ability to make life fun and meaningful. Her greatest legacy, however, is the family she brought into the world - 22 loved ones who would not be here today without her.

Darlene is survived by her sister, Marla Larsen. Her children, Mike Bridge Jr. (Anna), Melody Bridge, Mitch Bridge (Kim). Her grandchildren, Ella Bridge, Matt Bridge (Katie), Molly Schunneman (Jeremy), Jordan Bridge, Colin Bridge McLane (Megan), Graysen Bridge McLane, Cooper Bridge (Lauren), Anna Bridge, Nicholas Claussen, Lauren Bridge McLane, Michael Bridge III, Sydney Bridge Hunter (Zach). Her great grandchildren, Oliver Bridge, Barrett Bridge, Wes Bridge, Stella Schunneman, Jude Schunneman, Maven Schunneman. Nephews, Stuart Thompson and Scott Thompson.

We take comfort knowing that Darlene is reunited with her loving parents, Iver and Verla Anderson, her big sister, Val Baker, her favorite son, Marty Bridge, her devoted nephew, Rollie Baker, and her adoring nieces, Julie Thompson Laux and Rhonda Baker. In addition to many dear friends and animals (Casper, Ben, Sammy) that have predeceased her.

Along with her loved ones, she will finally meet her lifelong heartthrob, Elvis Presley - a thought that brings a smile to those who knew how much joy his music, and hips, brought to her.

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