Darleen Chapman of Newfolden, MN, passed away peacefully at home, with her loving family by her side, on Friday, June 9, 2023 at the age of 99 ½.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 16, 2023 at Westaker Free Lutheran Church in Newfolden, MN, with Pastor Kevin Hall officiating.  Darleen's Funeral can be viewed live by clicking on the following link: https://youtube.com/live/ETgXhsCRwSI

Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Newfolden, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at Westaker Free Lutheran Church in Newfolden.  Visitation will also take place one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday at the church.

Darleen Ivadelle Bengtson was born on November 13, 1923 at home in Section 15 of Marsh Grove Township, Marshall County, MN, the daughter of Bernhardt and Inga (Bjorgaard) Bengtson.  She was baptized and confirmed at Westaker Lutheran Church.  Darleen attended the Charlie Nelson Country School in New Maine Township.  Shortly after the death of her mother in 1937, she completed her 8th grade education with the help of her teacher Freda Blackberg.  Through that following summer she and her sister, Bernice took over the household duties and raising of their younger brothers.  The next fall after her sister left for school Darleen took over the role of homemaker.

Darleen had a dream of a young man in a red sweater.  One day in 1942, as she was churning butter there was a knock at the door.  She opened the door and there stood the man from her dream, wearing a red sweater.  His name was Raymond Lewis Chapman.  They married on October 23, 1943 and made their home in the Newfolden area.  To this union three children were born – DeVere, Leola, and DeAnna. In 1946 they moved to Buffalo Lake where Darleen and her mother-in-law cooked for the men on a Bonanza Farm.  In 1952 they moved back to the Newfolden area, living on several rented farms.  In 1955 Darleen and Raymond purchased their home in New Maine Township.  Darleen's dad gave her six ewes and from them, built a flock of sheep, which she led to the new farm with a pail of feed.  They continued on with cattle, sheep, and farming.  Darleen's passion was the sheep.  Selling the sheep in the fall made the farm payments, the wool paid the taxes, and the late lambs paid for school clothes and Christmas gifts.  Darleen moved from the farm to Newfolden in 1980 after Raymond passed away.

In addition to farming she was a caregiver, both to children and adults.  For some years she worked for JoAnn's Mercantile in Newfolden.  Darleen volunteered her time wherever she was needed.  She was also involved in the Newfolden Nifty Senior Club for many years.  Darleen was awarded the honor of being chosen as Newfolden's Outstanding Senior in 2017.  Darleen and Raymond were instrumental in starting 4-H in New Maine Township.  She enjoyed quilting, gardening, and was an avid reader.  Darleen was an excellent cook and baker and was well-known for her lefse, bread, and donuts.

Darleen was a longtime active member of the Westaker Free Lutheran Church.  She taught Sunday School, was a member of the Ladies Aide, and assisted with the cooking at the Galilee Bible Camp.  Darleen's faith was very important to her.  She said, "Without my faith, humor, and books I would not have gotten through the hard times."  She read her Bible from cover to cover more than a dozen times.

She will always be remembered for her hugs and kindness and love for all.  Her love lives in every part of our lives.  She kept our family close and connected.  All the warmth and love she's passed down is a priceless legacy to our family.

Darleen is survived by her children, DeVere (Jackie) Chapman, Leola Engelsrud, and DeAnna Anderson, all of Newfolden, MN; grandchildren, Shane (Stacy) Chapman, Lori (Scott) Colling, Laird (Laura) Sourdif, Sarah (Kyle) Lefebvre, Kevin Engelsrud, Angel (Austin Fowler) Anderson; great-grandchildren, Nicholas Chapman, Emily (Andrew) Wollum, Nathan and Anna Colling, Megan, Connor, and Evan Lefebvre, Indra and Iona Sourdif, Inga Anderson and Lewis Fowler; great great-grandchildren, Sloan, Talia, and baby boy Wollum; brother, Lloyd Bengtson; sister-in-law, Ilene Chapman; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond; siblings, Bernice Ueland (Norman), Leonard (Sandra), Arnold (Marge), and Vernon Bengtson (Lois); sisters-in-law, Leanna Bengtson and Lura Reimnitz (Oscar); brothers-in-law, Cleo Chapman (Lenore), Dwight Chapman; son-in-law, James Engelsrud; grandchildren, Jay and Jon Engelsrud.