Darlene Kay Lestrud, 77, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Darlene was born to Lloyd and Marlys (Hanson) Lestrud on May 3, 1942, and grew up in rural Austin, Minnesota. She went to Magnuson Country School and graduated from Austin High School. She retired from Hormel Foods after 30 years of employment and moved to the LeRoy, Minnesota/Riceville, Iowa, area, where she blossomed, made many friends and enjoyed bowling on Tuesday nights.

She loved and was loved by her family, friends and her critters; not necessarily always in that order.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Marlys Lestrud. She is survived by her three dogs, Emma, Blackie and Sophie (now living with her daughter); her daughter, Devona (Larry) Maher, Northwood, Iowa; grandsons, Chad LyBarger, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and Drey LyBarger, Auburn, Michigan; brother, Larry (Janice) Lestrud; nephew, Kent Lestrud, and children, Jakob (Cindy) Sprandel, with son, Kolten, and Hunter, Kaleigh and Connor Lestrud; niece, Sandy (Dave) Nelson, and children, Zach (Marlee) Nelson and Katelyn Nelson; nephew, Dan (JoDee) Lestrud, and children Curi Lestrud (Jenny Heerdt), with daughters, Emma and Luna, and Kaled and Mattie Lestrud.

There will be an open house celebration of life gathering for family and friends from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at her daughter’s house at 4966 Cedar Lane, (rural) Northwood, IA 50459.