Darlene Stephan

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Darlene Orvetta Larson Stephan April 29, 1934 – December 2, 2024

Darlene Orvetta Larson Stephan, 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 2, 2024, at Comforts of Home - The Bluffs in Hudson, Wisconsin. Her life was a testament to love, faith, and selfless service to her family, her community, and the congregations her husband, Rev. Earl Stephan, faithfully served across North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota, and Iowa.

Darlene was born on April 29, 1934, on the Larson family homestead in Aurelia, North Dakota. It was at Aurelia Moravian Church that she met seminary student Earl Stephan, who was serving as a summer pastor. Darlene pursued her calling in nursing, graduating as a Registered Nurse from the Sisters of St. Francis School of Nursing in Minot, Minnesota. She and Earl married on September 11, 1955, at the same church where they first met, shortly after he returned from serving in the Mission Fields of Bluefields, Nicaragua.

Their life together was rooted in ministry. Earl completed his Master’s Degree in Theology at Moravian Seminary, and Darlene stood proudly by his side at his ordination in 1957 at Hebron Moravian Church near his hometown of Altura, Minnesota. Together, they served Moravian congregations in Rudolf, Wisconsin; Aurelia, North Dakota; and Northfield, Minnesota. In 1964, Earl was ordained in the Methodist Church, leading the couple to serve United Methodist congregations in Elgin, Douglas, and Mazeppa, Minnesota, and in Riverside, Iowa.

Darlene balanced her role as a minister’s wife with a distinguished nursing career. She worked in hospitals, nursing homes, and private care, often in supervisory roles. Toward the end of her career, she served as a Supervisor at Rochester State Hospital until its closure in 1983. She was then recruited by the Minnesota State Board of Health, where she joined the Quality Assurance Review team, evaluating nursing homes and group homes across southern Minnesota. She embraced this role with dedication until her retirement in 1996.

Throughout her many years Darlene was a tireless cook and prepared (along with Earl!) all holiday feasts in royal fashion, leaving nothing aside. In retirement, Darlene and Earl enjoyed extensive travels, exploring Europe, the British Isles, the Holy Land, and destinations throughout the United States. 

Darlene is survived by her four children: daughter Gay Deane Stephan, and sons James Edward Stephan, John Peter Stephan, and Thomas Earl Stephan. She is also remembered fondly by her many nieces and nephews from both the Larson and Stephan families.

Darlene will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She was a compassionate and dedicated minister’s wife, a skilled and caring nurse, and a steadfast woman of faith whose life was a source of inspiration and strength to her family and community.