Darlene Dee Smith

Darlene D. Smith, age 86, of Hastings, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at The Rosemount Senior Living.

Darlene was born on June 26, 1939, in Barron, Wisconsin, to Forrest and Hilda Sullivan. She grew up in Barron with her siblings, Gene and Joyce, and graduated from Barron High School. While in school she met her future husband, Jerry Smith. The two were high school sweethearts and later married, beginning their lifelong journey together. At the young age of 19, Darlene and Jerry welcomed their first daughter, Jerene, followed by their second daughter, Monya.

In the 1960s they made their home in Hastings. Darlene was a devoted homemaker whose greatest joy was caring for her family. Even so, when the family needed extra support, she stepped in to work outside the home, taking on many different tasks at the government center, most often clerical work.

Darlene was very creative and loved sewing, crafting, shopping, and painting. Her family cherishes the many paintings she gifted them, each one a reminder of her talent and love. She also enjoyed time with her bridge groups and delighted in simple family activities. Her daughters fondly recall summers filled with boating, camping, and adventures that did not require much beyond being together.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Jerene Smith and Monya (Darrell) Schmidt, and her grandchildren, Zach and Alex Schmidt. She was preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Hilda Sullivan, her husband, Jerry Smith, and her siblings, Gene and Joyce.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion Street, Hastings, MN 55033, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A prayer service will take place at 11:30 a.m., followed by visitation and reception until 2:00 p.m. Guests who wish to attend the prayer service are encouraged to arrive by 11:30 a.m., while those coming for visitation and reception may arrive after 12:00 p.m.