Darlene (Steele) Huddle, 93, passed away October 31, 2025, in Yankton, SD. Darlene was born in Winner, SD on April 21, 1932, and spent her childhood years in Clearfield, SD. Some of her best childhood memories were of working alongside her father in the towns’ one grocery store, which her family owned and operated.
Darlene loved school and attended a country schoolhouse in Clearfield. For ninth grade, she went to Winner High School. Tenth through 12th grade Darlene attended St. Mary’s Academy, a boarding school in O’Neill, NE.
Darlene taught for many years in rural schools around the Clearfield area: Riverside School, Sargent School, and Beaver Creek School.
In 1950, at a Friday night card party in the basement of St. Anne’s church, she and Glen Huddle would meet. The game of the night was Pitch. They would be partners most of the night.
They were married May 31, 1952, in Cheyenne, WY and their wonderful example of love and commitment for 73 years was a beautiful thing to witness. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Glenda, Jane, and Randy. They would continue to be a formidable force in partner Pitch throughout their marriage.
Darlene was an amazing cook, and loved to garden, read, and journal. More than anything, she enjoyed her children and grandchildren and attending all their activities.
Faith was important to Darlene, and she was a strong believer in the power of prayer. Anyone who took a road trip with Glen and Darlene knew that the rosary would be said at the beginning of every journey.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Maybelle Steele; siblings Joyce, Carol, Tom, Maureen, and Charles.
Darlene is survived by her loving husband, Glen Huddle; children, Glenda (Huddle) Bakke and husband Dale, Jane (Huddle) Megrdle and husband Phil, Randy Huddle and wife Linda; eight grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and siblings Mary Ellen, Shirley, Arla, Margo, Allen, Douglas, and Brad.
A Memorial Mass for Darlene was held Friday, October 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine. The burial will take place at a later date.
Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine was entrusted with service arrangements.
