Darlene Jane Sportel

Darlene Jane Sportel was born on December 28, 1931 to Harm and Verna (Meyer) Kor on the family farm just Northwest of Holland in Fountain Prairie Township, Minnesota. The family moved in to Holland when Darlene was five years old, and she never left. Darlene attended school in Holland until the eighth grade before transitioning to Pipestone High School at the start of ninth grade. She graduated from high school in 1949. Not long after graduation, Darlene married Henry Sportel JR on September 1, 1950 in the Lutheran church in Holland. Darlene worked at various places over the years, including the liquor store in Holland, Kor’s Café, Taubert’s Market, and JC Penney’s starting in 1969. After working 17 years at JC Penney’s, Darlene went back to working at Taubert’s until her retirement. Darlene continued to live at home in Holland. After falling, Darlene was brought to the Avera McKennan hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Due to complications, Darlene died peacefully at Avera McKennan on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at the age of 86 years, 10 months, and 21 days.
Darlene was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Holland and served as a part of Holland’s ladies’ auxiliary. In their younger years, Darlene and Henry were camp hosts on Lake Shetek. Darlene had a great love of baseball, softball, reading, and attending her grandchildren’s school activities. One thing that Darlene was famous for was her homemade cookies.
She is lovingly remembered by her two children, Peg (Richard) Lange of Holland and Bryan Sportel, formerly of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandchildren, Traci (David) Nissen and Troy (Patty) Lange; great-grandchildren,Tricia, Ryleigh, and Olivia; and many other loving friends and family members. Darlene was preceded in death by her husband; grand-daughter, Tricia Lange; her parents; and her brothers “The Original Kor Boys”, Darvin, Donald, and Delbert.