Darlene J. Pedersen, 79, of Estelline passed away Monday, October 11, 2021 at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am Friday, October 15, 2021, at the United Church of Christ in Estelline. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday at Geise Funeral Home in Estelline.

Darlene Joanne Janssen was born April 10, 1942, to John and Anna (DeWall) Janssen. She attended Estelline #7 (Bjorklund) country school. The first year there was 13 boys and one girl. She graduated from Castlewood High School in 1960. She worked at Memorial Hospital, Terry Rest Home in Dempster and Estelline Bakery before getting married to Donald Pedersen on February 14, 1963 at Dempster Reformed Church. The couple lived in Dempster and Estelline until her father died in 1969, then they moved onto her family's farm, until Donald died in October of 1977. Darlene and her sons moved back to Estelline. She worked at Harold's Café, the Estelline Hospital and Empi before retiring in 2008.

Darlene enjoyed genealogy, cross-stitch, embroidery, reading and putting together jigsaw puzzles. She looked forward to attending her grandchildren's sporting events, rodeos, 4-H days with her companion Bob Hutt. She will be remembered for her chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting, rice krispy bars, and chocolate chip cookies, and her collection of Moo-Moos. She was a member of the United Church of Christ, Women's Fellowship, the American Legion Auxiliary since 1969 and spent her time volunteering at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center.

She is survived by her three sons Duane (Rhonda) Pedersen of Platte, SD, Bryan (Sandra) Pedersen of Hayti, SD and Jerald Pedersen of Estelline; four grandchildren, Jessica (Reid) Strain, Nathen (Amanda) Pedersen, Shane Pedersen (Brenna Hatlestad)  and KayCee (Duke) Buffington; three great grandchildren, Gavin and Reagan Strain and Nelli Buffington; and her sister, Johanna (Keith) Tarrell of Bruce, SD.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband and special friend Bob Hutt.