Darlene Mitchell

Darlene Lorinda (Hoppe) Mitchell was born on October 6, 1960 in Alexandria, MN to Harold and Gladys (Floding) Hoppe. She grew up on a farm with her two sisters, Doris and Diane, where she was instilled with a love for animals, particularly horses, having had 9 at one point. Darlene would later pass her compassion for animals onto her two daughters, Shanna and Krista. Darlene proved to have many gifts in her lifetime, among them being crafty and good with her hands, and she loved taking trips to various craft stores with Krista, who shared in her interests. In particular, she excelled in wood-working and would often make her own home décor. Darlene took pride in her home, and not just the decorations she adorned it with, but also the people coming and going from it—family and friend relationships were important to her, and she often filled the role as mom to many of her daughters’ friends.

Darlene loved the outdoors, gardening, and wasn’t afraid to get dirt under her fingernails for the sake of having a beautiful garden, complete with many angel figurines. She also possessed an edgier side, always having wanted a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. When she finally got one, Darlene and Shanna took the licensing class together and put many miles on their bikes riding together. Darlene’s recent favorite trip was a 3400-mile journey through Georgia, Tennessee, Montana, and several other states to see the mountains and other landmarks with her family.

Easy-going, yet also having a savage and sassy personality at times, Darlene could be a confounding enigma to her family, but she always kept things real and raw. She was a natural caregiver, nurturing, and so happy that she got to experience being a grammy to her two grandchildren, Bentley and Sebastian. She loved those boys more than anything. In the words of her daughters, she was a good mom that always supported their activities, and most importantly, she let them be who they needed to be and encouraged true expression of self.

On Monday, February 3rd, 2020, at the age of 59, Darlene rejoined her family in heaven to crack a cold one, after a yearlong battle with cancer, surrounded by her family at her home in Miltona. Gathered at this family reunion with her are her parents, Harold and Gladys Hoppe; best friend, Pam Robinson; brother-in-law, Dennis Grimm, and various other relatives.

Left to carry on Darlene’s memory are her daughters, Shanna (Brionne Petermeier) Mitchell and Krista (Nowell Wetzel) Mitchell; grandchildren, Sebastian and Bentley; sisters, Doris Grimm and Diane (Corrie) Mattocks; granddog, Diesel, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, February 10, 2020 at 11 AM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 9, 2020 from 4-7 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home and continue from 10-11 AM on Monday before the service. Memorials can be made in Darlene’s memory to Knute Nelson Hospice. Due to a family allergy, please no daffodils in any floral arrangements sent.