Darlyne Ruth Smith

Darlyne R. Smith, 91, died on Thursday morning, March 23, 2023, at Scandi Haven Village in Benson, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, on Sunday, March 26, at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson, and will continue Monday, March 27, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the Benson City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations are preferred to Divine Hospice of Benson or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Darlyne Ruth (Fuhrman) Smith was born to Albert and Amy (Strain) Fuhrman on January 11, 1932, in Michigan City, North Dakota. Darlyne attended elementary school at Williams Consolidated School in Michigan City until the 4 ^th grade when the family moved to Cass Lake, Minnesota where she finished her education. After school Darlyne helped her mother care for foster children at their home.

On October 2, 1949, Darlyne was united in marriage to Clair Smith in Fairmont, Minnesota by the Rev. A. Beck. This marriage was blessed with over 65 years of marriage. They settled in Murdock, Minnesota until Clair’s National Guard unit was called to serve during the Korean War when they moved to Enterprise, Alabama and then Columbus, Georgia. Their daughter Brenda was born at Camp Rucker in Alabama.  After this they moved back to the Benson, Minnesota area where they bought a farm. She worked at Fingerhut for 4 and ½ years as a quality control supervisor.

Darlyne loved to bake and cook and embraced her role as homemaker. She enjoyed traveling to Europe and in the U.S.A. After Clair’s retirement from the U. S. Postal Service, they spent their winters in Mission, Texas. Darlyne also enjoyed dancing, music, reading and attending her ceramic classes. She was very fond of time spent shopping with her daughters and spending time at Brenda and Don’s Lake cottage and especially when her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were gathered there.  She was called from this life on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Scandi Haven Village in Benson. She attained the age of 91 years, 2 months, and 12 days.

Darlyne is survived by her children; Brenda (Donald) Foss of Spring Lake Park, Melody (Rodney) Nordby of Milan, Dixie (Alan) Golden of Benson, and Michael (Judy) Smith of Fargo, North Dakota, 10 grandchildren; Nathan (Keri) Foss, Carissa Foss, Bryan Nordby, Shaunna (Andy) Goblirsch, Adam (Amber) Golden, Erik Golden, Darin (Katey Olson) Golden, Jordan (Sara) Smith, Joshua (Tina) Smith, Marah Smith, 13 greatgrandchildren; Tyler, Amelia, Jenna, Nolan, Roni Claire, Chloe, Isabella, Griffin, Bennett, Boden, Emmett, Jordayna, and Jeremiah; granddaughter-in-law; Kristie Nordby, sister; Carroll Premo, brother; Douglas Fuhrman, a sister-in-law; Carole Anderson, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband; Clair in 2015, an infant son; grandson; Kristoffer Nordby, brothers; Robert “Bud” Fuhrman, Russell Fuhrman, sisters; Etha Caldwell, Dorathy Church, and Jean Hagblom. Blessed be her memory.