Obituary of Darlene June Derr

Darlene June Derr (nee Anderson) was born in Stettler, Alberta on February 23, 1938 to May and Gus Anderson.  She was the youngest of six children.  She took her schooling at Imogen School, a horseback ride away from her parents’ farm.  Upon completing her schooling, her first job was waitressing at a Café in Stettler.

Darlene met Eugene Derr at a local dance, and he maintained SHE pursued him “relentlessly!”  He didn’t stand a “snowballs” chance and they were married in 1956.  They purchased the “Elhorn” place and worked very hard to turn it into their little piece of paradise.  They were blessed, yes blessed, with two children: Cindy in 1960 and Shaun in 1962.

Darlene lived a typical farm and young mother’s life of various farm chores and raising children.  She was an awesome cook of many Sunday dinners that were shared with her siblings and their families.  She baked bread and buns, prepared field meals at harvest, and school lunches daily, to mention but a few of her duties.

“Gertie” as she was affectionately known, absolutely LOVED camping and holidaying with family, travelling extensively throughout Alberta and BC.  She enjoyed playing Canasta with her dear lady friends and was a very “lucky Bingo fanatic,” as was her mother.  She adored her grandsons: Joe, Josh and Jordan Huraj and later her great grandchildren.

In the 70’s and 80’s she worked retail in Stettler at Macleods store, Merit store and Rexall Drugs.  They moved to Stettler in 2000, and in 2012 Gene passed away after 56 years of marriage, leaving her with a broken heart that never healed.

 In 2013 she moved into Paragon Place and in 2021 after breaking a hip was forced into long term care at Heritage House.  She truly loved the staff at both places, particularly those that enjoyed her “jokes” and unfiltered comments that kept them shocked, laughing and shaking their heads.

Darlene June Derr was a loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, cousin and friend.  She was a bit of a “Princess,” always requiring earrings and her favourite shade of lipstick.  She had a dirty mind and no filter.  She loved to joke and laugh and make everyone around her laugh too.  Her sparkling eyes and beautiful smile will never be forgotten.  She will be truly missed and forever loved.

Darlene will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Cindy (Gerd) Liebe of Stettler; son Shaun Derr of Botha; dear friend Danny Kober of Botha; grandchildren: Jozef (Leanne) Huraj and their children: Zoe and Denver Schultz and Freya Huraj all of Stettler, Joshua (Melissa) Huraj and their son Brawley Huraj all of Stettler, Jordan (Chelsey) Huraj and their children: Claire and William Huraj all of Duhamel; step grandchildren Dylan Liebe of Banff, Kayla Liebe and her children Nora and Lauren all of Perth-Andover, New Brunswick; sisters in law: Jean Anderson of Stettler, Clara Bitzer of Hanna, Edna Heisz of Strathmore, Beatrice Selinger of Stettler, Laura Derr of Stettler, and Carol Myckan of Edmonton; numerous nieces, nephews, other family, and many dear friends and neighbours.

Darlene was predeceased by her husband Eugene Derr, parents May and Gus Anderson, brothers Kenneth Anderson, and Edward Anderson, and sister Hazel Thibault.

 Celebration of Darlene’s Life

Graveside Service

Friday September 29, 2023 at 2:00 P.M.

Woodland Cemetery, Botha, Alberta

followed by a Come and Go Social

Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, Alberta

Donations in memory of Darlene are gratefully accepted to Woodland Cemetery, Botha, Alberta