Darlene J Koosmann

Funeral services for Darlene J. Koosmann of Morris will be held Friday, November 21, 2025, at 11:00 am at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Morris. Visitation will be on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial will be at Dry Wood Cemetery at a later date.

Darlene JoAnn Koosmann 90, of Morris, MN, was called home to be with our Lord on Friday, November 14, 2025. She passed away peacefully with her husband, Orville, at her side at Courage Cottage in Morris.

Darlene was born at home in Shible Township, rural Appleton, to William and Helen (Stenstuen) Radtke on November 3, 1935. She was baptized at home by Pr. Paul Gierke on December 2, 1935. She attended country school District 56 in Swift County and later District 65 in Big Stone County. Darlene was confirmed by Pr. William Peterson on June 11, 1950, at Drywood Lutheran Church, rural Appleton. She held an unwavering faith in God and her Christian values influenced every area of her life. Darlene graduated from Appleton High School in 1953.

Before marriage she worked as a secretary/bookkeeper for Geo. H. Heineke and Sons in Appleton, where she met the love of her life, when Orville frequented the store for his John Deere parts. Orville and Darlene were married on November 21, 1954, at Drywood Lutheran Church by Pr. Palmer Wold. They lived on the farm nine miles north of Appleton for 55 years.

Orville and Darlene together raised three children, Tim, Wendy, and Wanda, and together shared almost 71 years of marriage. Darlene worked as a homemaker and assisted Orville on their farm.

She was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (formerly Drywood Lutheran Church), where she was involved with women’s ministries, served as a Sunday School teacher and Luther League advisor. Darlene also served as a 4-H leader and member of Busy Homemakers Club, also serving as that club’s county president. After their children were raised, Darlene worked at Pioneer Public TV in Appleton for ten years.

In June, 2009, Orville and Darlene moved off the farm to Hancock to be near Wendy’s family, where they lived for thirteen years. In March, 2022, Orville and Darlene moved to Skyview Plaza in Morris.

Orville and Darlene enjoyed nearly twenty years driving their motorhome to Arizona for the winters and loved traveling together, often with their close family friends, the Harstes. Some of their favorite travels included China and Japan, Alaska, Caribbean cruises, and baseball games to watch Orville’s brother, Jerry, pitch with the NY Mets. They also greatly enjoyed countless camping trips with their children and grandchildren.

Most of all, Darlene cherished their time spent with their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She also loved shopping, especially shopping days with her daughters and granddaughters. Though she didn’t love it, she was an amazing cook and faithfully carried on her mother’s lefse-making legacy!

Darlene is survived by husband Orville, children, Tim (Natalie) Koosmann of Corona, SD, Wendy (Bennett) Zierke of Hancock, and Wanda (Gordon) Weber of Buffalo; 13 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren: Allison (Joshua) Humburg and children Emery, Maverick and Raelyn; Mitchell Koosmann; Leah (Chad) Ver Steeg and children Samuel, Jackson, Malachi, Baylor, and Eliana; Jamie Shelley and daughter Evangeline; Keri (Michael) Zierke, and children Joseph, Lydia, David, and Abigail; Kyle (Courtney) Zierke and children Larken, Marcus, Judah, Wilder, Jack, and Levi; Caleb (Elizabeth) Zierke and son Benji; Ryan (Jennifer) Zierke and baby boy due in February; Joel Zierke; Jacob Zierke; Cameron (Paige) Weber and daughter Macie; Erik Weber; Tori (Chad) Peitz and children Palmer and Lainey; brothers-in-law, Jerry Koosman and Elton (Clarice) Koosman; sister-in-law LaVonne Koosman; nieces and nephews.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Martin and Lydia Koosmann; brother, Verlan (LaMae) Radtke; sister-in-law, Violet (Robert) Dilly; and great granddaughter, Sophia Ver Steeg.

The family requests memorials be made to SCMC Courage Cottage. We wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to all of the staff at Courage Cottage and the Glacial Ridge Hospice team for their loving and excellent care and ministry. Their thoughtfulness and graciousness will long be remembered by the family.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements for Darlene.