Darleen Pence, age 89, of Mitchell, SD (formerly of Letcher, SD) died Sunday, December 30, 2012 at Avera Brady Health and Rehab. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, January 4, 2013 at Will Funeral Chapel with burial at Westlawn Cemetery, Letcher, SD. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday, January 3, 2013 at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 7:00 PM

Darleen Johnson, daughter of Jacob and Josie Johnson, was born March 10, 1923 at the family farm in rural Mt. Vernon, SD. She attended Victor Country School in rural Mt. Vernon, SD. After her schooling she worked at Defense Plant at Bauer Produce in Mitchell. Darleen was united in marriage with Lyle Pence on September 30, 1947 in Mt. Vernon, SD. The couple lived for a short time in Letcher before moving to a farm NW of Letcher, SD. The couple continued to farm until December of 2011. Darleen worked at the Storla Sunset Home for over 27 years as a housekeeper. They then moved to Mitchell and resided at Crystal Manor and later at Avera Brady Health and Rehab.

She was a member of the UCC Church in Letcher now known as the Letcher Community Church where she taught Bible School and was active in ladies' aide at the church. Darleen enjoyed cooking, flowers and gardening.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Lyle Pence, Mitchell, SD; four children, Clinton (Holly) Pence, Mitchell, SD, Linda (Gary) Fawbush, Madison, SD, Murray (Jackie) Pence, Vancouver, WA, Rick (Sue) Pence, Sioux Falls, SD; 14 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; a brother, Wesley (Donna) Johnson, Mt. Vernon, SD; a sister, Verna (Arlan) Feistner, Woonsocket, SD; a brother-in-law, Delmar (Wanessa) Pence, Kingman, AZ; a sister-in-law, Elaine Reimann, Sioux Falls, SD.

She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kassia; 3 sisters, Evelyn Merkle, Yvonne Gates, Eunice Lachnit; and her parents.