Darleen Stevahn, age 79, of Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away on December 4, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Parkway Funeral Home, 2330 Tyler Parkway in Bismarck, with Pastor Greg Carr officiating. There will be no burial service at this time. Darleen will later be laid to rest beside her twin sister, Marleen, in Elgin.

Darleen was born on April 17, 1946, in New Leipzig, North Dakota, to Quito and Hilda (Maier) Golke. She spent her early years on the family farm north of New Leipzig, where she learned the value of hard work and the importance of family. After the sudden loss of her father when she was just thirteen, the family moved into town, a change that shaped her resilience and strength for the rest of her life.

Caring for others came naturally to Darleen. She spent her career working in long-term care facilities, offering kindness, patience, and compassion to those she served. In 1981, she and her son, Terry, moved to Hettinger, where she continued her work at the local nursing home. As a single mother, she worked tirelessly to provide a good life for her son, meeting every challenge with determination, grit, and deep love. Her dedication to her family was the center of her world.

Darleen moved to Bismarck in 1997 after the birth of her first grandchild, Haley. Becoming a grandmother was one of her greatest joys, and she treasured every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home was a place of warmth, steady presence, and unconditional love.

She is survived by her son, Terry (Melinda) Stevahn; grandchildren Haley (Blake) Emmel and Amber (Hunter) Rodin; great-grandchildren Bryn Emmel and Grace Rodin; brothers Mark (Peggy) Golke and Jerrold (Cindy) Golke; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Quito and Hilda; her twin sister, Marleen Frey; and her brother-in-law, Henry Frey.

In her final act of generosity, Darleen chose to donate her corneas, offering the gift of sight to others — a reflection of the caring heart she carried her entire life.