Darlene Schlenker, 84, of Kulm, ND, passed away March 21, 2026, at Sanford Health, Bismarck. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Fredonia, ND. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at Feist Funeral Home, Kulm. Burial will take place at Martin Luther Cemetery, Fredonia.

Darlene was born August 6, 1941, to Otto and Freida (Weispfenning) Buerkle. She was raised on a farm northwest of Fredonia. She attended country school in the Fredonia area and later graduated from Kulm High School. Following high school, Darlene moved to Jamestown and worked for Farmers Union Insurance.

Darlene married Earl Schlenker on March 18, 1962, at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Fredonia. They settled on Earl's family farm SW of Jud until moving to Kulm in October of 2000.

Darlene enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, mowing grass and ice fishing. She also loved playing cards and spending time with family and friends.

Darlene is survived by her children, Rory (Audrey) Schlenker, Jud, ND and Flora (Darwin) Hedstrand, Sawyer, ND; grandchildren, Sydnie Hedstrand (fiancée Dylan Finken), Chad Hedstrand and Bradley (Sam) Hedstrand; great-grandchildren, Harlow, Tucker, Tobey, Stella, Braycen and Paislee.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Earl in 2021; father and mother-in-law, Jacob and Christina Schlenker; and her grandson, Jarid Hedstrand.