A memorial visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Friday, March 13th 2026 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – SOUTH Chapel.

A private family service will be held.

Darlene is survived by her children – Daughters Kathy Hubert of New Ulm, MN, Shari (Gerry) Schroeder of Litchfield, MN, Karen (Steve) Appel of New Ulm, MN, Jody (Jay) Haun of New Ulm, MN, Son – Kevin Schmidt of New Ulm, MN.

12 Grandchildren – Danielle Hubert, Nicole Hubert, Tara Fausch, Shawn Schroeder, Daniel (Sam) Schroeder, Melanie Schroeder, Riley (Sicily) Appel, Emily (Avery) Appel, Jesse Schmidt, Brady Schmidt (and special friend Carson Reed) and step grandchildren Sam & Andy Haun.

13 Great grandchildren – Addison and Dirk Haynes, Knox Fausch, Cassidy (Cayden) Schmandt, Amara, Merrick, Atticus, Ayden Schroeder, Gavin, Jude & Theo Schroeder, Sawyer Nelson Schroeder, step great grandchildren Megan & Evan Haun.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, “Jim”, her parents Frank and Sophie Wenninger, her in laws Harry and Lucy Schmidt, Sister and brother in law, Loretta and Harry Stueber, Brothers and sister in laws, Raymond and Marcella Wenninger, Lenard and 1st wife Janet and 2nd wife Pat Wenninger, Melvin and Mary Ann Wenninger and Vernon Wenninger.

She grew up on the family farm near Klossner, MN. She attended country school and New Ulm Public School.

She married Jim Schmidt at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Church in New Ulm, MN on June 28th, 1961.

She was a licensed day care provider for 40 plus years in her home and at Educare and Kinderhouse.

Darlene was a member of St. Mary’s Church of New Ulm, Catholic United Financial, American Legion Post 132 and The Optimist Club where they helped with the ring toss booth and the cheese curd stand for many years.

As their family grew, Dar enjoyed spending time camping with her children, and then with the grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, word finds, writing in her daily journal, canning (especially her yummy pickles) cooking and baking which she shared with all her family and friends. You could always find them at Heritagefest enjoying the Concord singers, German bands and the local old time bands with all their wonderful friends. Jim and Dar also really enjoyed traveling around with The Leon Olsen Band until they could no longer do the trips. Above all, Jim and Dar cherished time with their family and enjoyed all the family gatherings.

A heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful staff at Ridgeway on German for the care and love she received. You are all angels in our eyes, and the care you gave her was very much appreciated from her very “large” loving family.

Blessed be her memory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Brown County Humane Society are preferred.

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]