Darlene M. Kelly, 82, died on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, MN.

Darlene M. Pahlen was born on May 26, 1924 the daughter of Theodore and Hazel (Hansel) Pahlen in Red Lake Falls, MN. She was raised in Red Lake Falls, where she was baptized at St. Mary's Catholic Church and confirmed at St. Josephs Catholic Church. She from Lafayette High School. Darlene worked in the office at Land O Lakes in Thief River Falls.

On July 17, 1946 she was united in marriage to Harley Bud Kelly. The couple lived in Thief River Falls, where she raised her three sons Michael, Timothy and Jeffrey. The couple owned and operated Kelly Hardware in Thief River Falls, where Darlene worked in the accounting department of the business.

Darlene was a member of St. Bernards Catholic Church and the Hospital Auxiliary. Family was the most important aspect of her life.

She is survived by her sons Tim (Linda) Kelly, Wauwatosa, WI; Jeff (Maribeth) Kelly, Apple Valley, MN; grandchildren Chad Kelly, Kristi Kelly, Ryan Kelly, Melissa (Mark) Nagata and Sara Kelly and sister Margaret Peggy Fischer Brown, Aberdeen, SD.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Bud on February 13, 2002, son and daughter in law Mike and Linda Kelly, parents and brother, Theodore Pahlen.

The family requests donations be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley.