Darlene Mumm, 76, St. Cloud
Darlene Brenda (Shelstad) Mumm passed away peacefully at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, on Sunday, April 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Visitation will be Monday, April 28, 2025, from 9-11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 609 Lincoln Ave., Owatonna, followed by a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. A lunch/reception will follow in the Church fellowship hall. Interment will be at Lands Lutheran Church Cemetery in Zumbrota, Minn.
Darlene was born on April 22, 1948, in Red Wing, to Bennie and Dorothy (Peters) Shelstad. She grew up in Old Wanamingo, on a farm and attended Wanamingo Public School from kindergarten through graduation. Darlene enjoyed school activities and worked on the school newspaper. She participated in church activities, including singing in the choir and teaching Sunday School at Land’s Lutheran Church in Zumbrota.
Darlene met Wayne Meyer at the roller rink and the two later married in November of 1966. They made their home in Lake City, then Mantorville. Through their marriage, they were gifted with four wonderful children: Wendy, David, Darin and Waneta.
After 17 years of marriage, Wayne and Darlene parted ways. Darlene moved to Bemidji and continued to devote her time and energy to her children, sometimes working two or three jobs to support her family. Darlene enjoyed bookkeeping and office administration.
Her hobbies included playing pool, cards, and Bingo. She enjoyed dancing and embroidery.
After her mother passed away, Darlene moved back to southern Minnesota to be closer to her father and sister, Loretta. Holidays were important to Darlene and every Christmas she and Loretta would make Norwegian delicacies for their families to enjoy.
In 2000, Darlene suffered a massive onset of congestive heart failure, which she miraculously survived. She and John Mumm were married in September of 2003, after meeting at a singles dance Darlene attended with her father, Bennie. John and Darlene made their home in Owatonna. Darlene spent many years volunteering for the Salvation Army and taking advantage of every opportunity to spend time with her family, including caring for each of her grandchildren when they were born. She was very devoted to her faith and supporting others in their faith, calling herself the best “Lutheran Catholic Mormon” there ever was.
At age 76, Darlene’s last words to her family were the same as always, “Love you bunches.”
Darlene is survived by her husband, John Mumm of St. Cloud; sister Loretta (David) Cordes of Kenyon; children: Wendy Paul of Frederick, Colo.; David (Gloria) Meyer of Hudson, Wis., Darin (Gwen) Meyer of Bemidji, and Waneta (Kip) Perkins of St. Cloud; stepchildren: Shane (Bobbi) Mumm of Crosby, Minn., and Sarah (Randy) Mumm-Frehse of Hinckley; grandchildren: Kalee Paul, Zachary Paul, Melanie Paul, Isabelle (Phillip) Petri, Emily Meyer, Keelan Perkins, and Hannah Perkins; step-grandchildren Gannon Strain, Connor Strain, Jacob Otremba, Tawna Duke, Avianna Mumm, Anastasia Mumm, Jesse Mumm, and Azalea Mumm; step-great-grandchildren: Jentai Otremba, Kyan Otremba, Easton Stiner, and Callahan Mumm.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bennie and Dorthy Shelstad; brother Calvin Peters; sister Marna Shelstad; and son-in-law Kody Paul.
The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Pleasant View Estates in Faribault, and The Sanctuary in St. Cloud for their love and support of Darlene the last several years. Special thanks to the staff at St. Cloud Hospital for their tender care the last few days of her life. For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.