Darlene Marie Hughes March 5, 1939 – July 27, 2023
Darlene was born on March 5, 1939 in the small Czech community of Lonsdale, Minnesota. She loved to spend time outdoors in her mother’s and grandmother’s gardens and spending time with her big brother, Fritz. Eventually, her little and much adored sister Char was born to complete the family. She was so proud of her father Jim’s clock making skills and loved her mother Lillian’s cooking—especially the kolaches.
She enjoyed starring in plays at Faribault High School, including “Time Out For Ginger” and “Father of the Bride.” We all agreed that her talent and beauty could’ve landed her in Hollywood, but she chose a different path. She worked at the Mayo Clinic for several years and truly enjoyed helping people.
Her travels took her to Texas where she put down roots in Plano. She met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Hughes in Texas and loved to go fast in his Corvette Stingray. She raised a son and two daughters there, was active in Resurrection Lutheran Church and the WLCA, and worked in administration at Texas Instruments. After she retired, she worked in the office at The Ark Preschool and was loved by parents and children alike. Any child having a hard time could come spend time with her in the office (which was never a punishment), and Mama Dar would help them feel better. She also helped organize the School Supply Project through her church and created games for the children to win their backpack of supplies instead of making them feel like they were just getting a handout. She could make anything fun.
Dar always tried to make people feel welcome and was a bonus mom to so many of her children’s friends. She loved them and cared for them, even if they made some bad choices. However, she would definitely give people a piece of her mind and wasn’t afraid to stand up to people that she thought were hurting others in any way.
She leaves behind her husband of 56 years, Robert “Bob” Hughes, her children Cindy (Lee) Draper, Steve (Patti) Crane, and Kim (Rich) Bishop. She is also survived by her sister Char (Woody) Strande, grandchildren Amy Daugherty, Annette Crane, Isaac Bishop, and Lucas Bishop, great-grandchildren Isabelle Castillo and Dillon Daugherty, as well as many loved nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lillian Hendrickson and James Palma and her brother Fritz Palma.
She made friends all over the world, both offline and online, and those that knew her always knew that she truly cared about them.
Čau, maminka
Darlene’s family will receive friends on Saturday, August 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Butte. A celebration of life will follow at 11:00 a.m. with a reception immediately following. A private cemetery service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in Butte.
In Lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center https://giving.mskcc.org , P.O. Box 5028, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5028.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for Darlene and her family.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
Saturday August 12, 2023
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
2300 Florence Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 A.M.
Saturday August 12, 2023
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
2300 Florence Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
Saturday August 12, 2023
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
2300 Florence Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 A.M.
Saturday August 12, 2023
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
2300 Florence Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
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