Darlene Myrtle Anderson

Darlene Anderson passed away on Sunday, August 14th at MCHS surrounded by her family.

A memorial service for Darlene will be held on Thursday, August 18th at 11 a.m. at Northview- North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato with a visitation one hour prior. Interment at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato.

Darlene Myrtle Anderson was born May 26th, 1955 in Bemidji, MN to Ernest and Lucy (Coyle) Chesley. Her birth mother passed away July 1957, and Darlene and her siblings were split up and placed into foster care. In 1960, Darlene and her brother Roger Schwanke were adopted by Clayton and Helen Schwanke and grew up in Mankato, MN.

Darlene graduated from Mankato High School in 1973. She was reunited with her birth family at this time. She married Dorwin “Andy” Anderson on October 19, 1974 at the Little Brown Church in Iowa.

Darlene and Andy had two daughters Michelle (Anderson) Weaver and Marissa Anderson.

She did at home daycare for 12 years, and then went on to work at Sears for 10 years; she also worked at Wal-Mart when it was first opened in Mankato. She went to work for Sears again when the new store was being opened.

Darlene and Andy moved to Mapleton, MN in 2000 and lived there until January 2016. While in Mapleton she worked at Mapleton Drug for a short time. For health reasons she retired in 2004.

She enjoyed crocheting, making crafts, and spending time with her family especially her grandchildren. She loved to crochet blankets for weddings and births.

She is survived by her husband Dorwin “Andy” Anderson; daughters Marissa Anderson and Michelle (Brent) Weaver; grandsons Jacob and Cole Weaver; sisters Lillian Lewis and Carolyn Miasnikov; brothers Henry (Kathy) Chesley, Tom (Linda) Chesley, James Chesley, Donald Chesley, and Roger (Wanda) Schwanke; adopted brothers Todd (Mary) Schwanke, and Hans (Christy) Schwanke; and adopted mother Helen Schwanke.

She is preceded in death by her birth parents and adopted father Clayton; niece Carla Ulrich; and nephew Eric Schwanke.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations be made to the Cancer Foundation.