Darlene Goven, 83, Turtle Lake, ND died July 17, 2024 at CHI Community Memorial Hospital, Turtle Lake.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at St. Catherine's Catholic Church, Turtle Lake.  Interment will be held in the Turtle Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2024 from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a rosary/vigil at 7:00 PM at the church in Turtle Lake.  Lunch will follow the graveside service at the Turtle Lake American Legion Hall.  The funeral mass will livestreamed at the bottom of Darlene's obituary on this page.

Darlene Marie (Axtman) Goven, the daughter of Matt and Marie (Hagel) Axtman was born on September 5, 1940 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Rugby, North Dakota.  Darlene was raised on the family farm south of Rugby, ND along with her younger sister, Judy.  She was baptized, made her First Holy Communion, and was Confirmed at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Balta, ND.  Darlene attended country school through the 8th grade, then went on to attend Rugby High school.  She was the Homecoming Queen her senior year, and graduated in 1958.   Darlene furthered her education at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, MN, then attended St. Michael's Hospital in Grand Forks, ND to become an X-ray Technologist.  It was there in Grand Forks, that Darlene met her future husband, Earl Goven.  Earl and Darlene were united in marriage on December 27, 1961 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic church in Balta, ND.   The couple moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho and Havre de Grace, Maryland before settling down in Turtle Lake, ND to farm and raise their nine children.

Darlene was a very talented lady!  She loved music, woodworking, China painting, ceramics, sewing, and crafts of all sorts.  She was known for painting the cutest faces on any of her craft projects.  Darlene always grew a large garden every year and did a lot of canning.   She was one of the best cooks and bakers and you were always welcomed at the kitchen table.  Darlene worked very hard on the farm taking care of her children, while she also worked as an X-ray Technologist at the Turtle Lake Community Memorial Hospital for 25 years before retiring in 2013.

Darlene was a member of St. Catherine's Altar Society, Turtle Lake Music Boosters, served as a 4-H leader and was an organist in her church.  Darlene loved to sing and her love of music was passed onto her children and grandchildren.  Her Catholic faith was especially important to her and provided her strength and comfort throughout her life.  She loved attending her children and grandchildren's sporting and music events.  Her greatest joy was being surrounded by her family and friends.

Darlene was a humble, caring, and kind soul.  She was a model of beauty, elegance, kindness, talent, faith, hard work, and wisdom.  Her love for family showed through her compassionate ways.  She was the magic that made all of the holidays, birthdays, and special occasions unforgettable.  Darlene was the best caregiver, teacher, faith leader to all of us.  She led by example with her selflessness and beautiful heart.

Darlene lost her eleven-year courageous battle with colon cancer on July 17, 2024 at the age of 83.

Darlene is survived by her husband of 62 years, Earl Goven of Turtle Lake; her children: Monique (Arnie) Summers of Vero Beach, FL, Keith Goven of Bismarck, ND, Natalie (Jeff) Johnson of Corcoran, MN, Brian (Tina) Goven of Mercer, ND, Stephen (Deb) Goven of Rugby, ND, Gerard (Jill) Goven of Turtle Lake, ND, Jennifer (Gerard) Norenberg of Garrison, ND, Grant (Becky) Goven of Valley City ND, and Ryan (Robyn) Goven of Wilton, ND; her twenty-two Grandchildren: Justin (Andrea), Ashley, Austin Johnson, Taylor (Daniel) Van Pelt; Victoria, Brooke, Jenna Goven; Jeremy Johnston, Trace Goven; Rachel, Grace Goven; Matthew, Brady, Sophia Norenberg; Carly, Greta, Garet, Jack, Henry Goven; Ginger, Monica, Sadie Goven; her three Great-Grandchildren: Max and Cal Van Pelt and Zelda Johnson; her sister, Judith Axtman of Rugby, ND.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Matt and Marie Axtman and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

As an expression of sympathy, memorials in Darlene's honor may be made to St. Catherine's Altar Society, Turtle Lake, ND or the American Cancer Society.