Darlene Joyce Iburg, age 87 of Sioux Falls, SD formerly of Alexandria, SD, died Friday, March 12, 2021 at Ava's Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, March 19, 2021 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD with burial at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Friday, March 19, 2021 at Ascension Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Darlene Joyce Iburg, daughter of Arthur and Lena Reilly was born on March 29, 1933, in Spokane, Washington.  Darlene was raised on a dairy farm named Black and White Ranch for raising Holstein-Friesian cattle near Waukon, WA. Darlene attended school in Reardon WA where she graduated on May 29, 1951.  Through her upbringing, Darlene learned the value of hard work and family.

After high school, Darlene moved to Spokane to work and met Hugo Iburg while he was stationed at the Fairchild US Airforce base. Hugo and Darlene married at Fairchild Air Force Base on February 28, 1953. Shortly after their wedding, Darlene was baptized into the Christian faith and confirmed on June 6, 1954 at St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Spokane Washington. From there, Hugo and Darlene upheld their faith as a central part of their lives. After Hugo's discharge in October 1954, they moved to a farm in South Dakota. Darlene thought the land looked flat and lacked trees compared to where she had grown up in Washington! As they farmed with Hugo's brothers for several years, Darlene faithfully cooked many meals for Hugo's brothers until they married.

Darlene dedicated her life to raising her children. Darlene also managed most of the accounting and book work related to the farm. Darlene and Hugo ran their household and family farm as true partners, working in unity to protect and nurture their children, home, and farm.  Darlene's children, and later, her grandchildren were blessed to learn many lessons through her.

During her 87 years on this earth, Darlene's warmth resonated among her friends, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Darlene was a cherished and vital member of her family.

Darlene is fondly remembered by her large family – particularly for her homemade bread/cinnamon rolls, sense of humor, ready smile, love of chocolate (or anything sweet) and teasing! They include her five children, Paul Iburg (Kathy), Faye Krier (Don), Clair Iburg (Lucy), Diane Murphy (Dan), and Darla Plucker (Prentice); her 13 grandchildren, Mike Krier (Pamela), Lynette Weidenbach (Barry), Amy Sargent (Robert), Brad Krier (Joeleen), Steven Iburg (Melissa), Melisa Bahmuller (Brian), Lucy Egberg (James), Angie Iburg, Jennifer Schmit (Marcus), Jonathan Plucker (Lynne), Christopher Plucker, Anna Murphy (Ian Thackray), and Stephanie Plucker; 18 great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by one sister, Melcina Thomas

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, her cherished husband, Hugo; siblings DL Reilly, Pat Mackey, Karen Culbertson, Brita Haley, Molly Maxwell.

Darlene was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Mitchell, South Dakota.