Please click on the tribute video below to view Darlene's graveside memorial service.

Darlene N. Kronschnabel, of Fertile, MN, passed away after a brief illness at Benedictine Care Community in Ada, MN on Saturday, September 19, 2020, at the age of 84.

Darlene Norma Moteberg was born July 15, 1936 in Bear Park Township, rural Fertile, MN, the daughter of Carl and Alice (Lindberg) Moteberg. She was baptized & confirmed at Sundal Lutheran Church, rural Fertile.

She attended Fertile School and graduated in 1954. Darlene married Thomas Kronschnabel on September 4, 1954 at the Sundal Parsonage. They made their home in Fertile and were blessed with three children, Dean, Jeff and Peggy. They later built and moved to a beautiful home west of Fertile overlooking the Sandhill River.

Darlene worked at nearly every store in Fertile until purchasing the Coast to Coast store in 1985 which she owned and operated for 18 years. After she sold the store she began working at Lee Nursery and later at Bergeson Nursery. She was a Foster Grandparent at the Fertile-Beltrami School until the time of her stroke in 2014.

Darlene was a secretary for the VFW Auxiliary, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, she was the treasurer of the Sundal Ladies Aide, Secretary for the Sundal Church, and she also belonged to the Red Hats.

She had several hobbies; sewing, quilting, gardening, and traveling. She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved it when they came to visit her. After her stroke 6 years ago most of her hobbies had to end but she continued to watch the TWINS, Vikings and Wheel of Fortune. She was able to watch it one last time the evening before she passed away. She also enjoyed watching the birds out her window. Soon after Tom passed away, a pair of cardinals came and they continued to come, so the saying, " When a cardinal appears, an angel is near ," is true. She so enjoyed seeing them. Darlene was able to stay in her home until last month, and was moved to the Benedictine Care Community in Ada.

Darlene was truly an inspiration to all those that knew her, especially her family. She was a woman who was full of faith, love and wisdom, she will truly be missed by all.

Darlene is survived by her sons, Dean (Joan) Kronschnabel of Fertile; and Jeff (Sue) Kronschnabel of Fertile; son-in-law, Randy Tretter of Red Lake Falls, MN; grandchildren, Kelli, Nick, Kayla, Kristina, April, Adrienne, Aaron, Cassie, Carrie and Chad; great-grandchildren, J, Jetiah, Jaxon, Ashlee, Ella, Alyvia, Osten and Willow; sister, Janice Ostgarden of Moorhead, MN; sister-in-law, Lyla Moteberg of Erskine, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas; daughter, Peggy; brother, Allen; and brother-in-law, Clarence.

Blessed be her memory.

Graveside Service: A private family service will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Fertile, MN, following all of the Minnesota and CDC COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. All are encouraged to wear a mask.

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