Darlene Boylan

Funeral services for Darlene Boylan will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 24, 2017, at St. John Lutheran Church, Wadena, MN, with Pastor Meltzer officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2017, at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and will resume at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Darlene Mae (Oltman) Boylan was born to parents Lawrence Birchem and Inez (Enwiller) Birchem on December 30, 1931 in Rosholt, SD. She passed away peacefully with family by her side on Friday morning, February 17, 2017 at the Elders Home in New York Mills. Darlene was united in marriage to Howard LeRoy Joseph Boylan on April 27th, 1950 at the St. John’s Lutheran Parsonage in Wadena, MN. Darlene and Howard made their home in Leaf River Township where they farmed together for 54 years. In addition to farming and raising five children, Darlene also worked at Homecrest in Wadena for many years. Darlene always had a smile and a love for life and did not let her MS affect her outlook on life. Darlene enjoyed spending time with her family, planting flower beds, gardening, sewing, baking, farming – especially taking care of her baby calves and baby lambs. She also very much enjoyed spending time with special neighbors and dancing with the love of her life, Howard. She loved the outdoors and singing while she worked. Darlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Howard, on December 5, 2004; her daughter Deanna Kay (DeeDee) Lozano on November 28, 2015; her parents; brothers Peter Birchem and Luther Oltman; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Evelyn Dalen and Warren Boylan. Darlene is survived by sons Gary (Kitty) of Siren, WI, Steven (Tracy) of Spring Lake Park, MN; daughters Debra (Rodney) Mursu of New York Mills, MN, Jacqueline (Calvin) Smith of Friendswood, TX; son-in-law Carlos Lozano of Dacula, GA; 16 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; brother Larry (Janice) Oltman of Wadena, MN; sisters Jeanne Joelson of Wadena, MN and Lavina (Lovey) Seawell of Colorado along with many nieces, nephews and a host of friends and relatives. Pallbearers will be all of Darlene’s grandchildren. Burial will take place in the Wadena Cemetery following the service.

Darlene Boylan

December 30, 1931 - February 17, 2017