Darlene M. Chambers

Darlene Marie Dowd Chambers, age 88 of Yankton, South Dakota, died Friday, February 5, 2016 following a short stay at Majestic Bluffs Care Center, Yankton, South Dakota.

A memorial service conducted by family will be on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 11:00 am with family present at 10:00 am at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, South Dakota. Burial will follow at the Union Cemetery, Wakonda, South Dakota.

Arrangements are under the care of Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton. To send on-line condolences, please visit www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.

Honorary urn bearers will be her grandchildren – Jeanie Hansen, Brenda Townsend, Melissa Orr, Justin Orr, Becky Martinez, Katie Patten, Andrew Dowd, Jeremy Dowd, Benjamin Krush and Bethany Krush.

Darlene was born at the family farm in rural Irene, South Dakota on October 29, 1927 to Fred and Marie (Jensen) Peterson. She attended the one room Kietzman School for the first eight grades. The family later moved to a farm north of Yankton, SD and she stayed with families for room and board while she attended Yankton High School for two years. When her family moved to a farm north of Wakonda, SD she graduated from Wakonda High School in 1945. She was baptized and confirmed in the Martinus Lutheran Church north of Yankton.

She met Edward Dowd at a dance at Swan Lake and they were married December 8, 1945. They raised their children while farming south of Wakonda. Many evenings would find them going to ball games, leading 4-H or playing cards with family and friends. She seasonally worked at Gurney’s Seed Company. In 1974 they sold the farm and moved into Wakonda. During this time, she worked at J&J Market. She was a member of the United Church of Christ (Congregational) Church and American Legion Auxiliary in Wakonda. Later, they built a home in Yankton. She worked at Knutson’s Western Wear store. In 1987, she lost her mate and best friend, Edward.

In 1989, she started to winter in Weslaco, Texas. It was there that she met Jim Chambers. They were married in Rapid City, South Dakota on September 22, 1990. She was embraced by his loving Canadian family and friends, and they made their summer home at Kenosee Lake in Moose Mountain Park, Saskatchewan and later to Fillmore, Saskatchewan. Winters were enjoyed in warm Texas. Following Jim’s passing in 2003, she moved back to her home in Yankton and enjoyed times with friends, family reunions, Minnesota Twin ball games, line dancing and was a fierce bridge player at The Center. It was there she made many friends and served on the Board of Directors.

Those who will cherish her memory are her children, Gwen (Frank) Orr, Vermillion, SD; David (Tere) Dowd, Richmond, TX; Dennis (Ivy) Dowd, Verona, WI; Kathy (Perry) Krush, Rapid City, SD; and half brother, Niels Peterson, Walla Walla, WA. Her legacy will continue with her 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was met in heaven by her parents, husband Edward Dowd, daughter Judy Dowd, brother Charles Peterson, sisters Delores Klempnauer, Mary Ann Stephens and husband Jim Chambers.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials to go to The Center, 900 Whiting Drive, Yankton, South Dakota.

We, her children, are thankful to have had an extraordinary mother who taught us independence, gratitude, humbleness but most of all the love of life, family and friends.