Darlene Ann Anderson

Darlene Ann (McDonald) Anderson, age 88, of Mt. Iron, passed away on July 8, 2024 at Essentia Health in Virginia, MN.

Darlene was born on July 19, 1935 to Raymond and Mary McDonald. She grew up on the North side of Virgina as the youngest of five children.

To know Darlene was to love her. She radiated positivity, kindness and love. She enjoyed school and participated in many high school clubs and activities, such as Pep Council, G.A.A, Cheerleading, Homecoming committee, to name a few; graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1953. Her yearbook motto was “Vim, Vigor and Vitality” which describes her perfectly; “A lively, energetic spirt with a meaningful, purposeful existence”.

She married Richard Anderson of Mt. Iron (the cutest guy she ever dated) on April 15, 1954. Their first house was in Kinross; and it was there that their three children, Jen, Jeff and Greg were born. In 1960 when Greg was 6 months old, they moved to a house that Richard built on Mud Lake Road in South Grove. Darlene lived and loved there for 63 years. She was an excellent cook who also loved to bake. There were always delicious smells coming from her kitchen. Homemade bread, chocolate chip cookies, pasties, etc. but she was most famous for her potica. If you ever tried it, you would agree “It was the best you ever had!” which made her the Potica Queen.

Darlene also worked as a library assistant at the Mt. Iron Public Library for over 30 years. She had to retire when she turned 70, otherwise she would still be there with her best friend, Karen Luoma. They were the dream team who made a trip to the library very special.

Darlene loved to read, socialize, dance, and spend time at the cabin on Little 14 and Lake Vermilion. She loved to watch football, and was a die hard Minnesota Vikings fan.

In 2005 Richard passed away after 51 years of marriage. At a grief support group, Darlene met Glen (Edwin) Nyman and started a relationship that lasted for the past 18 years. Glen and Darlene had many wonderful times together going out to dinner, taking road trips, hanging out at Glen’s house in the “Swamp”, and visiting with friends over coffee. Glen visited Darlene every afternoon when she moved to Edgewood Vista in September 2023, which made her very happy.

She is survived by her children: daughter, Jennifer (Fran) Potvien of Plymouth, MN; sons, Jeffrey of Silverdale, MN, and Greg (Ewa) of Hibbing, MN; and partner, Glen Nyman. She is also survived by her granddaughters: Courtney (Zach) Hedrington of Chaska, MN, Leah Nori and Emily Malmgren. She also leaves behind her two very special great-grandsons, Hudson and Bennett Hedrington of Chaska. Other survivors include sister-in-law, Peggy (Robert) Anderson; brother-in-law, Marvin (Janelle) Main; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; brothers, Ray Jr. and Robert (Bob) McDonald; and sisters, Charlotte Kochevar and Joreen Lundstrom.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 22, 2024. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m. at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Mt. Iron. Burial to follow the service at the Calvary Cemetery, and a lunch will follow the burial at the Messiah Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are made with the Range Funeral Home in Virginia. In lieu of flowers please send condolences or donations to The Friends of the Mt. Iron Public Library.