Darlene Bergren, 70, Minot, died Friday, September 22, 2017, in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Darlene was born November 20, 1946 to Harold and Oveida (Llewellyn) Ofsthun. She attended Minot Public Schools at Sunnyside and Minot Central Campus.

Darlene was united in marriage to Paul Bergren on January 17, 1964 at the Minot Air Force Base in Chapel #2. They lived in South Dakota while Paul attended college, but returned to Minot and started their family. Darlene embodied what it meant to be a mother. She always put her family first, even if at times their shenanigans pushed her to her limits, giving her love unconditionally.

In addition to being a full-time mother, she also held various retail positions in Minot over the years. She was part of the staff at Lyle's Western Wear for over fifteen years. Airport Security, Kum N' Go and Cenex also hold many memories that she cherished. She finished her working career at Home Of Economy in 2015.

Darlene loved animals. She trained sled dogs with her husband and also participated in the sled building process. She was a bird lover who was known to have many canaries and finches. She showed poodles for many AKC sponsored events after honing the obedience skills of her pets. She had a love of horses and was accomplished at the Western and English styles of riding. She was quite the barrel racer in her younger years. Trail rides were also part of their activities later in life. Darlene will be missed by all who shared in her precious life, but remembered fondly in the stories and memories that she will forever be the main character.

Darlene's surviving family includes her loving husband of 53 years, Paul Bergren, Minot; children, Terry Bergren, Minot, Sue Ann (Raymond) Van Sickle, Surrey, ND, Wendy Marie Hatrick, West Grove, PA, Wade (Wanda) Bergren, Ashley, ND and Toni (Christopher) Farrell, Parker, CO; daughter-in law, Laura Bergren, Minot, ND; grandchildren, Edward Van Sickle, Marcus Van Sickle, Tiffany (Dylan Kolstad) Van Sickle, Stephanie (AJ) Fischer, Dustin Brown, Dillian Brown, Chalee (Billie Hager) Bergren, Sean Bergren, Weston Schreiner, Catherine Farrell, and Elliott Farrell; great-grandchildren, Aydin Fischer, Skylar Fischer, Amira Fisher, and Colton Brown; sister, Karen (Rory) Hunter, Sanborn, ND; brothers, John (Dora) Ofsthun, Granville, ND and Richard Ofsthun, Minot, ND along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Paul Farrell and brothers, James and Harold Ofsthun.

Celebration of Darlene's Life: 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Monday, September 25, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.