Darlene Faye Benter was born January 9, 1939 at Mills, Nebraska to Joseph and Louise (Rotter) Scholz and she died December 11, 2013 at the Gregory Community Hospital in Gregory, South Dakota at the age of 74 years.

Darlene was baptized on January 9, 1939 with St. John's Baptist Church of Paxton, South Dakota. She grew up and attended school in Mills. At the age of 13, Darlene began working for the Mills Telephone Company as the local operator. She later moved to Burke, where she worked as a waitress until her marriage. She was united in marriage to Donald D. Benter on March 22, 1955 at Rapid City, South Dakota.

Donald and Darlene made their home in Rapid City, California, New Mexico, Burke and Coon Rapids, Iowa. They then moved to Missouri were they lived for ten years, then back to Iowa before settling in St. Charles, South Dakota. Darlene worked for the Butte Nursing Home, the Gregory Sewing Factory and for the Gregory Nursing Home. She enjoyed taking care of the elderly. She enjoyed her children and grandchildren, loved becoming her own person on the farm and truly loved animals, especially Sheba and Precious.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald in 1990; three children: Johnny, Terrie and Cheryl; her son-in-law, Mark Jacobsen; and her siblings: Betty, Bud, Lawrence, Norman, Josie, Joanne and Donny.

Darlene is survived by her children: Esther Jacobsen of Manning, IA; Debbie S. Johnson of Correctionville, IA; Joseph and Jimmy of St. Charles, SD; Timmy of Manning, IA and David (Sandra) of Chugiak, AK; thirteen grandchildren, several great-grandchildren; two sisters: Vernell (Bill) Andrews of Farmington, NM and Delores (George) Jerred of Scottsbluff, NE; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD. Visitation will be prior to the services on Monday. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery, Burke.