Darlene R. Bredesen -- Grand Meadow

Published January 03, 2015 at 2:23 AM

The funeral service for Darlene R. Bredesen, 78, of Grand Meadow, formerly a longtime Stewartville resident, will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, at Crossroads Church in Rochester, with Pastor Doug Mathers officiating.

Mrs. Bredesen died on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, of natural causes, at the Grand Meadow Healthcare Center, where she had resided for the past two years.

Darlene Ruth Kath was born on Feb. 28, 1936, in Spring Valley, to William and Minnie (Hoppe) Kath. She grew up on the family farm in rural Stewartville, attended Stewartville schools and graduated from Stewartville High School in 1954. Darlene was married on April 6, 1956, at her parents' home in rural Racine to Arthur O. Bredesen. Following their marriage, the couple lived and farmed in rural Stewartville. They moved to Stewartville in 1961 and then to rural Rock Dell and High Forest. Darlene was a homemaker and farm wife, and Art farmed and worked in construction. Mr. Bredesen died on Dec. 18, 1982. Darlene moved back to Stewartville, where she lived for many years and was employed in food service at the Stewartville Care Center until her retirement. She was a past member of Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville, was currently a member of Crossroads Church in Rochester and was a past member of the Stewartville American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Darlene enjoyed playing word find, baking cookies for the grandkids and loved time spent with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Darlene is survived by two daughters and four sons, Gail (Randy) Peck, of Spring Valley, Charlie (Alicia) and Harold (Mary), both of rural Racine, Phillip (Cheryl), of Kimberly, Idaho, Craig (Diane), of Stewartville, and Ann (Ray) Gallie, of rural Adams; 24 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; her sister, Elaine (Donald) Brown, and brother, Ronald (Paula) Kath, both of Rochester; two sister-in-laws, Charlotte Kath, of Stewartville, and Caroline Kath, of Elgin; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; her parents; one sister, Rachel Ness; five brothers, Bill, Butch, Alfred and Herb Kath and a stillborn brother, David.

A time of visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville and 1one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday morning. A private family burial will take place on Wednesday at Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville.

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville.