Darlene LaVonne Redman, 94, completed her earthly life on April 27, 2020 to be met in heaven by her beloved husband Marvin and many loved ones. Darlene passed away at Water's Edge Senior Living Center in Mankato, MN. Due to the restrictions of Covid-19, a private family service will be held on May 1, 2020, conducted by Rev. Janiece Redman with burial at Rosehill Cemetery. A Celebration of Darlene's Life will be held on a future date. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is entrusted with services. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.brussheitner.com. Memorials may be directed to Open Doors United Methodist Church in Wells, MN or The Alzheimers Association.
Darlene was born on the family farm in Walnut Lake Township, near Wells, MN, March 10, 1926 to Andrew and Ida (DeWinter) Johnson and lived on the farm until she moved to Blue Earth with her parents in 1937. Darlene attended country school outside of Wells, and in Blue Earth, she attended Blue Earth Public School, graduating in 1944 as class Salutatorian. She attended normal training to become a teacher until she met, through her brothers, the love of her life, Marvin "Pug" Redman. They were married September 29, 1945, at the Wells Methodist Church. Pug and Darlene lived on the Redman family farm near Brush Creek where Darlene enjoyed gardening and canning produce, helping with the hogs, chickens, walking beans and tending to her family. Pug and Darlene's marriage was a great, loving partnership, and they enjoyed dancing at the Golden Bubble, driving to supper clubs in the area, playing 500 with family and friends, and family vacations around the nation. After Pug passed away, Darlene bought a house and moved into Wells where she was employed as head housekeeper and cook at the Wells Hospital. Darlene dearly loved this job and the people she worked with! She was in charge of holiday celebrations and once even wrote rap lyrics about each staff member to the song "Can't Touch This".
Darlene was active in the Wells United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and served for many years on the Worship Committee Altar Guild and also as Accolyte Coordinator after creating and organizing that ministry. Darlene was also active in the United Methodist Women. In earlier years, Darlene was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and the Brush Creek Tuesday Club, and she took golf lessons after moving to Wells where she would occasionally golf after work. She also was a leader for the Brush Creek Livewires 4-H Club for many years and assisted her children in perfecting their 4-H demonstrations! Darlene also loved to travel, and, with her travel partner Jeanette Thompson, enjoyed bus trips across the USA and Europe. Darlene was a huge sports fan and loved watching the Twins, the Vikings, and the Gopher teams on TV. Darlene was active in the Wells Historical Society. She loved to sing, and her kids remember singing lots of entertaining songs with her as they washed dishes on the farm. Up until her death, Darlene still loved to sing at Water's Edge, especially hymns, the song "Tangerine", and her favorite song that the staff loved to sing with her, "You Are My Sunshine."
Darlene loved to cook delicious meals and to bake, and her pies were especially phenomenal! Whenever she visited her children and grandchildren, she always came prepared with a homemade cake, cookies, or snack mix. For many years, Darlene drove her blue Oldsmobile to many activities to support her grandchildren, who, along with her great-grandchildren, were her special delights. She loved to tend to her gardens: on the farm, she had a huge vegetable garden that gave her bounty to can; in Wells, Darlene loved to work in her flower garden and share her plant knowledge with her neighbors. She was a good neighbor, a true friend, a dedicated wife, and a dearly beloved mother and grandmother. She always said her children were her pride and joy.
Darlene was preceded in death by husband Marvin "Pug" in 1978, her thirteen brothers and sisters and their spouses: Ernest (Loretta) Johnson, Cornelia (Austin) Lent, Helen Wollin, Laura (Art) Prom, Andrew (June) Johnson, Iona Johnson, Pauline (Howard) Korman, Richard (Helen) Johnson, Wilfred (Margaret) Johnson, LaVerne (Carmen) Johnson, Dorothy (Joseph) O'Leary, Robert (Willma) Johnson, and Donna (David) Alexander, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Left to cherish her memory include her children: Carolyn (Charles) Thompson of Mankato, Janiece Redman of Wells, William (Jean) Redman of Blue Earth, and Wendy Howieson of Good Thunder; grandchildren Stacey (Brad) Spillman of Solon, IA; Stephanie Thompson of Brooklyn, NY; Heidi (Ben) Pugh of Mankato; Amanda (David) Druffel of Mankato, William Howieson, currently of Good Thunder; and Sydey Howieson of St. Paul. Great-grandchildren include Devin (Erin) Bender, Colton Spillman, Grant Pugh, Kessly Pugh, Aaron Druffel and Madalyn Druffel, and sister-in-law Clarise Johnson of Blue Earth, and many nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Water's Edge in Mankato who have given Darlene such loving, personal care for the past two and a half years.
Darlene was born on the family farm in Walnut Lake Township, near Wells, MN, March 10, 1926 to Andrew and Ida (DeWinter) Johnson and lived on the farm until she moved to Blue Earth with her parents in 1937. Darlene attended country school outside of Wells, and in Blue Earth, she attended Blue Earth Public School, graduating in 1944 as class Salutatorian. She attended normal training to become a teacher until she met, through her brothers, the love of her life, Marvin "Pug" Redman. They were married September 29, 1945, at the Wells Methodist Church. Pug and Darlene lived on the Redman family farm near Brush Creek where Darlene enjoyed gardening and canning produce, helping with the hogs, chickens, walking beans and tending to her family. Pug and Darlene's marriage was a great, loving partnership, and they enjoyed dancing at the Golden Bubble, driving to supper clubs in the area, playing 500 with family and friends, and family vacations around the nation. After Pug passed away, Darlene bought a house and moved into Wells where she was employed as head housekeeper and cook at the Wells Hospital. Darlene dearly loved this job and the people she worked with! She was in charge of holiday celebrations and once even wrote rap lyrics about each staff member to the song "Can't Touch This".
Darlene was active in the Wells United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and served for many years on the Worship Committee Altar Guild and also as Accolyte Coordinator after creating and organizing that ministry. Darlene was also active in the United Methodist Women. In earlier years, Darlene was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and the Brush Creek Tuesday Club, and she took golf lessons after moving to Wells where she would occasionally golf after work. She also was a leader for the Brush Creek Livewires 4-H Club for many years and assisted her children in perfecting their 4-H demonstrations! Darlene also loved to travel, and, with her travel partner Jeanette Thompson, enjoyed bus trips across the USA and Europe. Darlene was a huge sports fan and loved watching the Twins, the Vikings, and the Gopher teams on TV. Darlene was active in the Wells Historical Society. She loved to sing, and her kids remember singing lots of entertaining songs with her as they washed dishes on the farm. Up until her death, Darlene still loved to sing at Water's Edge, especially hymns, the song "Tangerine", and her favorite song that the staff loved to sing with her, "You Are My Sunshine."
Darlene loved to cook delicious meals and to bake, and her pies were especially phenomenal! Whenever she visited her children and grandchildren, she always came prepared with a homemade cake, cookies, or snack mix. For many years, Darlene drove her blue Oldsmobile to many activities to support her grandchildren, who, along with her great-grandchildren, were her special delights. She loved to tend to her gardens: on the farm, she had a huge vegetable garden that gave her bounty to can; in Wells, Darlene loved to work in her flower garden and share her plant knowledge with her neighbors. She was a good neighbor, a true friend, a dedicated wife, and a dearly beloved mother and grandmother. She always said her children were her pride and joy.
Darlene was preceded in death by husband Marvin "Pug" in 1978, her thirteen brothers and sisters and their spouses: Ernest (Loretta) Johnson, Cornelia (Austin) Lent, Helen Wollin, Laura (Art) Prom, Andrew (June) Johnson, Iona Johnson, Pauline (Howard) Korman, Richard (Helen) Johnson, Wilfred (Margaret) Johnson, LaVerne (Carmen) Johnson, Dorothy (Joseph) O'Leary, Robert (Willma) Johnson, and Donna (David) Alexander, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Left to cherish her memory include her children: Carolyn (Charles) Thompson of Mankato, Janiece Redman of Wells, William (Jean) Redman of Blue Earth, and Wendy Howieson of Good Thunder; grandchildren Stacey (Brad) Spillman of Solon, IA; Stephanie Thompson of Brooklyn, NY; Heidi (Ben) Pugh of Mankato; Amanda (David) Druffel of Mankato, William Howieson, currently of Good Thunder; and Sydey Howieson of St. Paul. Great-grandchildren include Devin (Erin) Bender, Colton Spillman, Grant Pugh, Kessly Pugh, Aaron Druffel and Madalyn Druffel, and sister-in-law Clarise Johnson of Blue Earth, and many nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Water's Edge in Mankato who have given Darlene such loving, personal care for the past two and a half years.
Darlene LaVonne Redman, 94, completed her earthly life on April 27, 2020 to be met in heaven by her beloved husband Marvin and many loved ones. Darlene passed away at Water's Edge Senior Living Center in Mankato, MN. Due to the restrictions of Covid-19, a private family service will be held on May 1, 2020, conducted by Rev. Janiece Redman with burial at Rosehill Cemetery. A Celebration of Darlene's Life will be held on a future date. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is entrusted with services. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.brussheitner.com. Memorials may be directed to Open Doors United Methodist Church in Wells, MN or The Alzheimers Association.
Darlene was born on the family farm in Walnut Lake Township, near Wells, MN, March 10, 1926 to Andrew and Ida (DeWinter) Johnson and lived on the farm until she moved to Blue Earth with her parents in 1937. Darlene attended country school outside of Wells, and in Blue Earth, she attended Blue Earth Public School, graduating in 1944 as class Salutatorian. She attended normal training to become a teacher until she met, through her brothers, the love of her life, Marvin "Pug" Redman. They were married September 29, 1945, at the Wells Methodist Church. Pug and Darlene lived on the Redman family farm near Brush Creek where Darlene enjoyed gardening and canning produce, helping with the hogs, chickens, walking beans and tending to her family. Pug and Darlene's marriage was a great, loving partnership, and they enjoyed dancing at the Golden Bubble, driving to supper clubs in the area, playing 500 with family and friends, and family vacations around the nation. After Pug passed away, Darlene bought a house and moved into Wells where she was employed as head housekeeper and cook at the Wells Hospital. Darlene dearly loved this job and the people she worked with! She was in charge of holiday celebrations and once even wrote rap lyrics about each staff member to the song "Can't Touch This".
Darlene was active in the Wells United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and served for many years on the Worship Committee Altar Guild and also as Accolyte Coordinator after creating and organizing that ministry. Darlene was also active in the United Methodist Women. In earlier years, Darlene was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and the Brush Creek Tuesday Club, and she took golf lessons after moving to Wells where she would occasionally golf after work. She also was a leader for the Brush Creek Livewires 4-H Club for many years and assisted her children in perfecting their 4-H demonstrations! Darlene also loved to travel, and, with her travel partner Jeanette Thompson, enjoyed bus trips across the USA and Europe. Darlene was a huge sports fan and loved watching the Twins, the Vikings, and the Gopher teams on TV. Darlene was active in the Wells Historical Society. She loved to sing, and her kids remember singing lots of entertaining songs with her as they washed dishes on the farm. Up until her death, Darlene still loved to sing at Water's Edge, especially hymns, the song "Tangerine", and her favorite song that the staff loved to sing with her, "You Are My Sunshine."
Darlene loved to cook delicious meals and to bake, and her pies were especially phenomenal! Whenever she visited her children and grandchildren, she always came prepared with a homemade cake, cookies, or snack mix. For many years, Darlene drove her blue Oldsmobile to many activities to support her grandchildren, who, along with her great-grandchildren, were her special delights. She loved to tend to her gardens: on the farm, she had a huge vegetable garden that gave her bounty to can; in Wells, Darlene loved to work in her flower garden and share her plant knowledge with her neighbors. She was a good neighbor, a true friend, a dedicated wife, and a dearly beloved mother and grandmother. She always said her children were her pride and joy.
Darlene was preceded in death by husband Marvin "Pug" in 1978, her thirteen brothers and sisters and their spouses: Ernest (Loretta) Johnson, Cornelia (Austin) Lent, Helen Wollin, Laura (Art) Prom, Andrew (June) Johnson, Iona Johnson, Pauline (Howard) Korman, Richard (Helen) Johnson, Wilfred (Margaret) Johnson, LaVerne (Carmen) Johnson, Dorothy (Joseph) O'Leary, Robert (Willma) Johnson, and Donna (David) Alexander, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Left to cherish her memory include her children: Carolyn (Charles) Thompson of Mankato, Janiece Redman of Wells, William (Jean) Redman of Blue Earth, and Wendy Howieson of Good Thunder; grandchildren Stacey (Brad) Spillman of Solon, IA; Stephanie Thompson of Brooklyn, NY; Heidi (Ben) Pugh of Mankato; Amanda (David) Druffel of Mankato, William Howieson, currently of Good Thunder; and Sydey Howieson of St. Paul. Great-grandchildren include Devin (Erin) Bender, Colton Spillman, Grant Pugh, Kessly Pugh, Aaron Druffel and Madalyn Druffel, and sister-in-law Clarise Johnson of Blue Earth, and many nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Water's Edge in Mankato who have given Darlene such loving, personal care for the past two and a half years.
Darlene was born on the family farm in Walnut Lake Township, near Wells, MN, March 10, 1926 to Andrew and Ida (DeWinter) Johnson and lived on the farm until she moved to Blue Earth with her parents in 1937. Darlene attended country school outside of Wells, and in Blue Earth, she attended Blue Earth Public School, graduating in 1944 as class Salutatorian. She attended normal training to become a teacher until she met, through her brothers, the love of her life, Marvin "Pug" Redman. They were married September 29, 1945, at the Wells Methodist Church. Pug and Darlene lived on the Redman family farm near Brush Creek where Darlene enjoyed gardening and canning produce, helping with the hogs, chickens, walking beans and tending to her family. Pug and Darlene's marriage was a great, loving partnership, and they enjoyed dancing at the Golden Bubble, driving to supper clubs in the area, playing 500 with family and friends, and family vacations around the nation. After Pug passed away, Darlene bought a house and moved into Wells where she was employed as head housekeeper and cook at the Wells Hospital. Darlene dearly loved this job and the people she worked with! She was in charge of holiday celebrations and once even wrote rap lyrics about each staff member to the song "Can't Touch This".
Darlene was active in the Wells United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and served for many years on the Worship Committee Altar Guild and also as Accolyte Coordinator after creating and organizing that ministry. Darlene was also active in the United Methodist Women. In earlier years, Darlene was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and the Brush Creek Tuesday Club, and she took golf lessons after moving to Wells where she would occasionally golf after work. She also was a leader for the Brush Creek Livewires 4-H Club for many years and assisted her children in perfecting their 4-H demonstrations! Darlene also loved to travel, and, with her travel partner Jeanette Thompson, enjoyed bus trips across the USA and Europe. Darlene was a huge sports fan and loved watching the Twins, the Vikings, and the Gopher teams on TV. Darlene was active in the Wells Historical Society. She loved to sing, and her kids remember singing lots of entertaining songs with her as they washed dishes on the farm. Up until her death, Darlene still loved to sing at Water's Edge, especially hymns, the song "Tangerine", and her favorite song that the staff loved to sing with her, "You Are My Sunshine."
Darlene loved to cook delicious meals and to bake, and her pies were especially phenomenal! Whenever she visited her children and grandchildren, she always came prepared with a homemade cake, cookies, or snack mix. For many years, Darlene drove her blue Oldsmobile to many activities to support her grandchildren, who, along with her great-grandchildren, were her special delights. She loved to tend to her gardens: on the farm, she had a huge vegetable garden that gave her bounty to can; in Wells, Darlene loved to work in her flower garden and share her plant knowledge with her neighbors. She was a good neighbor, a true friend, a dedicated wife, and a dearly beloved mother and grandmother. She always said her children were her pride and joy.
Darlene was preceded in death by husband Marvin "Pug" in 1978, her thirteen brothers and sisters and their spouses: Ernest (Loretta) Johnson, Cornelia (Austin) Lent, Helen Wollin, Laura (Art) Prom, Andrew (June) Johnson, Iona Johnson, Pauline (Howard) Korman, Richard (Helen) Johnson, Wilfred (Margaret) Johnson, LaVerne (Carmen) Johnson, Dorothy (Joseph) O'Leary, Robert (Willma) Johnson, and Donna (David) Alexander, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Left to cherish her memory include her children: Carolyn (Charles) Thompson of Mankato, Janiece Redman of Wells, William (Jean) Redman of Blue Earth, and Wendy Howieson of Good Thunder; grandchildren Stacey (Brad) Spillman of Solon, IA; Stephanie Thompson of Brooklyn, NY; Heidi (Ben) Pugh of Mankato; Amanda (David) Druffel of Mankato, William Howieson, currently of Good Thunder; and Sydey Howieson of St. Paul. Great-grandchildren include Devin (Erin) Bender, Colton Spillman, Grant Pugh, Kessly Pugh, Aaron Druffel and Madalyn Druffel, and sister-in-law Clarise Johnson of Blue Earth, and many nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Water's Edge in Mankato who have given Darlene such loving, personal care for the past two and a half years.
Family Members
Siblings
-
![]()
Helen Irene Johnson Wollen
1906–1997
-
![]()
Wilfred Ervin Johnson
1909–1985
-
![]()
Iona Florence Johnson
1911–1932
-
![]()
Laura Evelyn Johnson Prom
1913–2006
-
![]()
Richard Eugene "Bud" Johnson
1914–2003
-
![]()
Pauline Ann Johnson Korman
1916–1995
-
![]()
Andrew Ivan Johnson
1919–2015
-
![]()
Dorothy Gladys Johnson O'Leary
1921–1996
-
![]()
LaVerne Kenneth Johnson
1923–2010
-
![]()
Robert Dale Johnson
1924–2007
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
