Darlene Kotz, 86, Owatonna

Darlene June Kotz, age 86, of Owatonna passed away Oct. 18, 2021. Funeral service was Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 at the Brick Meger Funeral Home. Interment was at Bohemian National Cemetery in Owatonna. Some years ago when asked her life story, Darlene, typical of her good humor said, “Once upon a time, a long time ago, I was born in a big white farmhouse near Butterfield, Minn., on a cold September morning. 1935 to be exact.”
She attended Lake Crystal High School. Contending that she never grew up. She moved to Owatonna in 1953. There she lived with her sister LaDonna, and worked at Jostens.
Darlene met the love of her life, John, at Jostens, and the two were married in 1955. She delighted in staying at home to raise her two children. When they became teenagers she decided to take a part-time job at Robby’s, which eventually turned into Hardees. She worked there for over 20 years. When she was asked about what she liked most about this job, she replied, “THE PEOPLE!”  Darlene enjoyed life, and made the most of her free time with family and friends. She taught fourth grade Sunday school for many years, and was involved in Bible studies. She loved to journal and enjoyed road trips and motorcycle rides. Darlene is survived by husband John, of 66 years; children, June (Dale) Resler, James (Stephanie) Kotz; grandchildren, Bryan (Brooke) Resler, Benjamin (Ashley) Resler, Andrew (Mandi) Resler, John Kotz, Greta Kotz; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Joseph, Clement, Emilia, Clayton, Lincoln, McLain, Blake, Creedence.