Darlene Anna May Knosalla, 85, of Staples, died March 10, 2010 at the Lakewood Health Systems Care Center, Staples.

Funeral services were held March 13, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples, with Fr. Ron Schmelzer officiating. Burial was at the Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples.

Arrangements were with the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.

Darlene was born Dec. 10, 1924 to Emil and Lydia (Spilker) Modrow, in Bertha. She grew up near Bertha and attended country school, graduating from the 8th grade. She worked as a housekeeper, interior painter and paperer, in Minneapolis and Alexandria, until she married Anton Knosalla in Motley on Nov. 21, 1944. Later that year they moved to Staples. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church and enjoyed sewing and making quilts.

Darlene is survived by two daughters, Phyllis Foster of Staples; Linda Dukowitz (Lynn Whittleff) of Princeton; one son, John (Cathi) Knosalla of Staples; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Sally (Richard) Ross of Grand Rapids; Barbara (Tom) Trana; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one grandson; three sisters, Blondina (Floyd) Johnson, Caroline (John) Baron, and Betty (Warren) Smith; one brother, Vernon (Meryl) Modrow; and one niece.

Memorials are preferred to the Sacred Heart School.

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