Darlene O'Bena Dommel

Darlene O'Bena Dommel was born in Charles City, Iowa on July 11, 1940, to Roy and Elsie (Hopkes) Hurst. She lived on a dirt road farm with fun horse-driven sleigh rides and country school. When 6, her family moved 3 ½ miles from Charles City on HWY 218 where she lived and enjoyed riding her Palomino horse every day in the summers, including in the Charles City parade. Darlene graduated from Charles City High School in 1958, where she was Annual Editor, President of Future Nurses Club, was awarded Rainbow Girls Grand Cross of Colors, and active in the St John Lutheran choir and youth group. At 18, she went to the University of Minnesota/Minneapolis. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and Nursing Honor Society Sigma Theta Tau. Upon graduating with BS in Nursing, Darlene worked for the MN Health Department as a Public Health Nurse. She received her Master of Science degree from the U of M in Public Health in 1965. James Dommel made a bet with a friend to get a date with Darlene. Jim won the bet and the jackpot. They were married in 1961 when she was a junior in college. Jim and Darlene were blessed with 62 years together full of adventures, World travels, church, family, friends, love, and laughter. Darlene stayed home to raise her 3 children and was very active in the community, including Girls Scout Leader, Boy Scout Den Mother, and 4-H leader to name a few. She contributed to her profession through being President - MN League for Nursing, Officer - National League for Nursing where she authored their handbook, Mental Health Committee Chair - Minnesota Governor's Advisory Task Force on Epilepsy, Governor Appointee - Minnesota State Council for the Handicapped, Minnesota Welfare Commission Appointee - Public Welfare Advisory Council on Mental Retardation and Physical Disabilities, Minnesota Commissioner of Corrections Appointee - Task Force on Sexual Exploitation by Counselors and Therapists, Lecturer and Consultant on health care issues. Darlene also became a freelance writer, authoring 3 books and hundreds of magazine articles, and an antique collector/ dealer, co-owning The Cradle antique business with Jim, doing shows across the country. Then Darlene became a faculty member at Augsburg College, teaching a specialized program for registered nurses to receive their baccalaureate degrees. Darlene was known for her stylish dress, free spirit, and voracious desire to learn. Taking after her father Roy, Darlene could strike up a conversation with anyone, due to her friendly ways and honest interest. She could always find a common thread with any new friend, no matter what background. Darlene stated that her greatest highlights were her relationships with her husband, children Diann (John) Honadel, Christy (Jim) Keating, David (Ana) Dommel; grandchildren Jacob (Sarah) Honadel, James Keating, Zachary Honadel, Kaleigh Dommel, Ryan Keating, Andrew Keating, Abigail Keating; and great granddaughter, Scarlet Honadel, and her trips with family in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, China, Russia, and Scandinavia.

Tributes

Darlene O'Bena Dommel

July 11, 1940 - April 13, 2024

Tributes

Darlene O'Bena Dommel

July 11, 1940 - April 13, 2024

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203