Darlene M. Kieffer

Darlene Kieffer, age 79 of Hastings, died peacefully on Friday, August 19, 2016 at Regina Nursing Home, Hastings. Darlene Margaret, the daughter of Armond and Mildred (Wiebush) Breuer, was born on September 15, 1936, in Welch, Minnesota. Following her graduation from Hastings High School with the class of 1954, Darlene was united in marriage to LaVern Kieffer on December 4, 1956. She was a longtime personal banker in Hastings, starting at First National Bank, then First Federal Savings Loan, and eventually retired from Eastern Heights Bank in 1993. Darlene enjoyed cooking, baking, and spending the winters in Apache Junction, Arizona. She was also very active in the Cottage Grove United Church of Christ, 4H, and the Cottage Grove Athletics Association where she coached softball. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Delbert; and by her sisters, Diane and Delphine. Darlene is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, LaVern of Hastings; her children, Dennis (Pam) Kieffer, Denise (Mike) Dufour, Danette (Ken) Kremer, David (Sue) Kieffer, Donna Ryan, and Deidra (Joe) Murr; her 17 grandchildren, Derek, Dallas, Travis, LaTahnee, Gabrielle, Mitchell, Alex, Jace, Joshua, Sharee, Tyler, Casey, Megan, Mallory, Austin, Molly and Evan; her 14great grandchildren; her siblings, Delores (Howard) Hase and DeVonna (Gary) Meyer; and by other relatives and friends. Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, August 26, 2016, at Cottage Grove United Church of Christ, 7008 Lamar Avenue, Cottage Grove, with Reverend Bryan Olson officiating. Interment will be held at Cross of Christ Cemetery, Welch, following the luncheon. Visitation will be held 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home Cremation Services, Hastings, and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Friday morning at church. In lieu of flowers, Darlenes family request memorials be made to the Hastings Senior Center, Cottage Grove United Church of Christ, or to the donors choice in her memory. Arrangements are being completed by Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home Cremation Services in Hastings.