Our beautiful mom has passed away. Darlene Grace (Kinney) Dagman was born January 21, 1935, to Roy and Grace (Howey) Kinney, in Lisbon, ND.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday Jan. 21, 2023 at 1 P.M. at the Bismarck Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place and family will be receiving friends one hour prior to the service.
She attended school at Gilbert 4 and graduated from Lisbon High School (1952) before obtaining a teaching degree from Minnesota State University. Her professional career began in a one room schoolhouse where in the wintertime, she had to start the fire and clear the snow.
Darlene had multiple passions in her life, but the longest running was her family, friends, and her soulmate. She shared stories about her friends piling into a car to go to the pavilion or a barn dance to dance through the night. Darlene met Merlyn Dagman, the love of her life, the summer of 1952. She was the only dance partner he wanted for the rest of his days. They married in Lisbon June 5, 1955. To this union were 5 children – Kenneth, Denise, Diana, Merri, and Grace. They began their life together farming near Enderlin before buying a farm near Verona. Darlene worked at the Lamoure hospital before they moved to Valley City where Darlene started as the bookkeeper at the turkey plant before becoming the bookkeeper for the Eagles Club where she stayed for 25 years. In 1983, they moved to Bismarck to their forever home. She worked for Bismarck State Bank, Amvets Club, the Terrace, and Bismarck Event Center as “the Candy Lady” before retiring.
Darlene and Merlyn loved adventures together. They caught up with friends, traveled to see children, or just made memories. They enjoyed snowmobiling with their friends and shared the hobby with their kids. They constantly searched out a party and loved to celebrate – they would light up the dance floor. Darlene and Merlyn celebrated their 45 th wedding anniversary. Shortly after, Darlene was widowed at 62; she never really said goodbye.
She kept her friends close after his passing. Keeping up with the “Thank God School’s Started” group, traveling, and regular visits, Darlene was always ready to share a cup of coffee and a laugh with a listening ear and a well-timed quip.
Darlene has 32 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren (with another one due in May 2023). Whether she was rocking a baby or watching their sports game, surrounding herself with her family was her greatest joy. In her downtime, Darlene loved her flower beds.
Darlene is survived by her children; Kenny & Doris Dagman, Denise & Randy Peters, Diana & Perry Moser, Merri & Wade Staigle, Grace & Rick Baker; her grandchildren, Kyle & Angie Dagman (Blake & Axel), Wesley & Kristi Dagman (Tyler, Payton, and Michael), Vern & Kayla Dagman (Tate & Tori, Kylie, Raliegh, Keirah, Hayden), Melissa & Angela (Huxford) Peters (Cora, Evelyn, and John), Ambour & Ryan Farrar (Carsteyn & Kemma), Jennifer & Ben Maisel, Amanda & Matthew Remynse (Eleanor, Grady & Ainsley), Alaina Moser & Adam Scharnowske (Grace Lynn), Daniel & Amber Staigle (Laramie & Conley), Ethan & Alysia Staigle (Hensley and Kennedy), and Logan & Keylee Staigle (baby due in May 2023), Aaron & Ashley Baker (Lindy and baby due in August 2023), Ross Baker, her step-grandchildren, Shandra & Eric Fuerst (Logan), Alicia & Chad Jensen (Taylor, Tracy, Leah, Kylie Jo, Tristan), Shaun & Brandi Bethea (Derby & Sawyer), Jon Sever, nieces Julie Wheeler & Sheila Korbitz, and nephews, Monte Krchnavy, Terry Krchnavy, Dave Sedivec, Doug Sedivec, and numerous cousins.
Darlene is welcomed home by her beloved husband, Merlyn, parents, Roy and Grace Kinney, a still-born brother, her sister Phyllis (Albin) Krchnavy, a nephew, Michael Krchnavy, father & mother-in-law, Wesley and Mary Dagman, and sister-in-law Janice Sedivec.
The family is grateful for the love and compassion given to Darlene while living at the Baptist Health & Rehab Center from Teresa, John, Bari, Phil, Jen (Zayd and Enver) and the others that made her feel like part of their family.