Darlene Ann Zaviska, age 70, of Mahnomen, MN, passed away Friday, November 18, 2016, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home, Mahnomen.

Darlene Ann Krajsa, the daughter of Stanley and Bessie (Snobl) Krajsa, was born August 7, 1946, in Crookston, MN. She was raised and attended school in Mahnomen. Following her high school graduation, Darlene went to community college where she studied accounting. On November 13, 1965, Darlene was united in marriage to John Schaefer II and shortly thereafter they moved to Atwater, MN. The couple was blessed with two children, John and Debra. Darlene graduated from Willmar College with a secretarial degree. She became a single mother following John's tragic death in 1977. Within a year, she married Leo Zaviska and moved to his farm North of Waubun for their 25 plus years of marriage. Living near Waubun also meant she was much closer to family. Darlene worked hard to make their home a hobby farm and always had an abundant garden.  She had a special place in her heart for animals, especially horses and her faithful canine companions, first Pepper and then Oliver.

After the couple divorced, Darlene made her home on grandma Snoble's homestead by Mahnomen and began her career with the Waubun School System. As a teacher's aide, Darlene loved working with the kids and being a recess and computer room monitor. Darlene received a terminal diagnosis two weeks ago and was able to spend time with family and friends before entering the Mahnomen Nursing Home for her final days. Darlene was an avid reader, loved to scrapbook and was always taking photographs of her loved ones. She often cut out newspaper articles of friends and family and created scrapbook keepsakes for them. Darlene liked to tinker in her yard, work on the landscape and pull weeds. She would enter her "weeds" at the Mahnomen Fair. The Mahnomen County Fair was a special time for Darlene, she only missed five in her lifetime.  Darlene loved to visit and would sit and share stories with anyone who had the time to chat. Most of all she cherished her family and gave everything she had to her children and grandchildren.

Darlene is survived by her children, John (Sharon) Schaefer of Naples, FL and Debra (William) Kimbler of Thief River Falls, MN; three grandchildren: Shane Richau, Anthony Richau, and Jordan Nugent; and one great-granddaughter, Addison. She is also survived by her brothers Stanley (JoAnn Mark) of Detroit Lakes, MN, and Jim (Darlene) of Mahnomen.   She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, John; her sister, Joyce; and a nephew, Adam Krajsa.