Darlene Stelter

Darlene Stelter, 86, of Echo, passed away on Friday, April 12, 2019 at her residence in Echo.  Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, April 20, 2019 at Rock Valle Lutheran Church, rural Echo with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be in the Echo Cemetery.  The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family. Darlene Valeria Arndt was born August 6, 1932 to Herman Arndt and Bernice Lecy Arndt at her grandparent’s home in rural Vesta.  She was baptized at home by Reverend O C Harang on August 21, 1932.  Darlene attended country school first in Posen Township and later in Redwood County.  She went to Echo High School for the ninth grade.  On May 19, 1946 she was confirmed by Reverend O C Harang at American Lutheran Church in Echo. On September 1, 1951 she married Alvin Benjamin Stelter at American Lutheran Church.  Reverend O C Harang performed the ceremony.  Darlene and Alvin raised five children.  Darlene taught herself to sew and worked as a seamstress for about twenty years.  She made the bride’s and bridesmaid’s dresses for many family weddings and other special occasions.  Beginning in the 80’s she worked as the kitchen supervisor at Parkview Nursing Home until she retired.  Darlene loved to sew, embroider, crochet and knit.  She spoiled her family in many ways such as making them beautiful clothes and wonderful meals.  She also loved growing flowers and decorating her home with flowers.  She loved the Lord and her church families at American Lutheran Church and Rock Valle Lutheran Church.   She enjoyed quilting with her friends at Rock Valle and meeting with friends in their homemaker’s club. Darlene died at age 86 on April 12, 2019 at her home in Echo surrounded by family.  She is greatly missed.  The celebration of her life will be held at Rock Valle Lutheran Church, Echo, MN on Saturday, April 20, 2019 beginning with visitation at 10:00 am and service at 11:00 am.  Please join the family for lunch in the church basement after the service.  They thank you for your kind and thoughtful words of sympathy. Darlene is survived by her children Kathy Stelter, Les Stelter, Julie Taylor, Lisa Miller and Nicolle Kotek; her sons-in-law Scott Taylor, Galen Miller and Kory Kotek; her grandchildren Laura Lundberg and husband Allen Lundberg, Jeff Taylor, Zuri Miller, Zach Miller, Tanner Kotek, Hannah Kotek and Quinn Kotek; her great grandchildren Ella Haase, Mason Lundberg and Lia Lundberg; sisters Marge Stoll and Joy Berg; brother Herman Arndt and wife Dorothy and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Alvin Stelter, parents Herman and Bernice Arndt, sister Lavonne Arndt, brothers-in-law Erhardt Stelter, Walt Stoll and Clarence Berg, sister-in-law Irene Stelter, nephew Jerry Stelter; niece RoseAnn Stelter and Alvin’s parents Martin and Elsie Stelter.