Darlene Balderston, 81, of Lancaster, Minnesota passed away at Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center in Hallock, Minnesota on Friday, September 8, 2017.  Darlene Gail Vagle was born July 11, 1936 to Arthur and Nelly (Eggerud) Vagle in Kittson County, Minnesota.  She attended school in Lancaster and graduated in May of 1954.  Darlene went on to attend Minneapolis Business College and graduated in May of 1955 with a secretarial degree.  On December 17,  1955 she was united in marriage to Duane Balderston.  They settled in Poppleton Township and farmed there. In addition to helping on the farm Darlene worked at the Lancaster Creamery, Lancaster Co-op, Arctic Cat in Karlstad and the Duty Free in Pembina. Darlene also served as postmaster in Drayton, Hensel and Edinberg, North Dakota.  She retired in 1999.  After retirement she shared her cooking skills in the Karlstad Nursing Home kitchen for five years.  Local Foxy Roxy patrons have enjoyed her delicious sweets for the past few years.  Darlene was a member of the Lancaster American Legion Auxiliary.  She loved to play bingo, enjoyed gardening, crocheting, bowling league, Scrabble, playing cards with family and neighbors and her dinner card group.  She was an actively involved grandma and loved watching her great grandchildren grow.

Family members include her children, Larry Balderston, Lake Bronson, MN and Roxanne Kulyk, Lake Bronson; grandchildren, Lynnette and Cliffy Steyn, Lancaster, Bradley Kulyk, Lake Bronson, Jason and Kayleigh Kulyk, Grand Forks, ND; great grandchildren, Caden Steyn and  Dawson Steyn; a brother, Ronald (Jean) Vagle, New Brighton, MN; sisters, Marlys Vagle Larson, Eagan, MN and Virginia (Dave) Vagle Doft, Glacier View Meadows, Livermore, CO; a sister-in-law, Donna Vagle, Lancaster; as well as nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in deth by her parents; husband; sons, Donavon Ray, Duane LaMar Jr. and Neil Arthur.

Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Lancaster Covenant Church. Interment will be in Riverview Memorial Garden Cemetery, Lancaster. Rev. Galen Nordin, presiding; Janelle Hostrup, organist; Erik Finney and Faye Potrament, duet and Virginia Vagle Doft, soloist.  Honorary casket bearers will be nieces, nephews and friends. Casket bearers will be Dave Doft, Jason Kulyk, Bradley Kulyk, Cliffy Steyn, Troy Vagle and Jake Vagle. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.