Darlene Joyce (Ruud) Swagger, Gatzke, MN, age 75, passed away Monday, March 17, 2014 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at United Lutheran Church in Gatzke, MN with burial to follow at Landstad Cemetery in Gatzke, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Darlene was born on October 22, 1938 at home on the "Ole Taie" place at Gatzke to Johnnie and Vivian (Knutson) Ruud. In 1949 she moved with her parents to Middle River. In 1950 they moved to Minneapolis. She graduated from Marshall High in Minneapolis in 1956. While living in Minneapolis she held several jobs there. In 1959, she met and married Dale Swagger from Lake City. They lived in Lake City for a couple of years, and then moved to Minneapolis. From that union two boys were born, Brad and Jeff. In 1993 Dale and Darlene were divorced. Darlene then moved back to Gatzke, bought her birth place land, and was reunited with LeRoy Lian. Darlene was an accomplished seamstress; she designed and sewed a wedding dress and also several bridesmaid dresses. She inherited her mother's talent to embroidery and crochet. Darlene endured many challenges, and she enjoyed learning the technologies, playing cards, and computer games. One of her most enjoyable pastimes was listening to her favorite music - classic country. Darlene and LeRoy had 18 years of many good times - camping, fishing, dancing, and living and working on their "Little House on the Prairie," until LeRoy's death in 2011. Darlene is survived by her sons, Bradley (friend Seana Bukowski), Minneapolis, MN and Jeffrey, Plymouth, MN; sister, Jean (Walt) Patterson, brother, Russell Ruud, St. Paul, MN; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and one aunt, Arlette Ruud. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law, Mervin Roppe; and fiancée and soul mate, LeRoy Lian.