Darlene Lavoie

Darlene Lou Lavoie was called to Heaven on Sunday, May 24, 2014 after a 2 1/2 year battle with cancer. She was born June 19, 1936 on the family farm near Balaton, MN to William and Hazel (Hastings) Lavoie. She was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Balaton. Darlene attended country school through 7th grade and graduated from Balaton High School. Following graduation, she worked at Marshall Produce and Swift Company. Darlene was united in marriage to Arnie Mormon on November 25, 1956 and the couple later divorced. She then married James Petersen whom she had 3 children with, they were married for 25 years until their divorce. Darlene married Merlin Kosel on April 13, 1996, and they were happily married until he was called to heaven in 2007. She lived a good share of her life in Sanborn. Darlene worked for Norwood, formerly AUI, in Sleepy Eye for 28 years until her retirement in 2003. The thing that made her most happy in life was spending time with her kids and grandkids. She always had a smile on her face and loved spending time with friends, square dancing, line dancing, sewing, riding horses, and playing cards. Darlene also enjoyed traveling, watching TV, taking walks and going with her good friends to Branson. She is survived by children- Clayton Petersen son Logan of Alexandria, Theresa (husband Peter) Shrader daughters Cassie, Ashley, and Katie of Savage and Lisa (former husband Doug) Stein children Dylan, Lexi and Derek of Courtland and Lisa's special friend Joel Polzin; sisters- Donna Czekaj of Chickawaga, NY, and Marlene Hoeft of Marshall, and sister in-law Viola. She was preceded in death by William in 1995 and Hazel in 2006; a daughter in infancy; a brother and sister in infancy; brothers- Edwin and Clayton; nephew Duane Lavoie; and Lisa's late finance Glenn Gustafson. First Visitation 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, May 29, 2015 Sturm Funeral Home, Springfield Chapel 407 N. Jackson Springfield, Minnesota, United States 56087