Darlene M. Kenison, 76, of Flandreau, SD, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.
Darlene Margaret Wittrock was born on February 5, 1947 at Tyler County Hospital to Marvin and Lucille (Otkin) Wittrock. She lived on a farm in Lincoln County for one year then moved to Pipestone County on two different farms before moving to Pipestone at the age of four.
She attended school there for 8 years. She was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church before moving to a farm west of Flandreau. She was an FFA Sweetheart and Homecoming Queen and graduated from Colman High School in 1965.
Darlene married Doug Kension on July 29, 1967 and the couple was together for 13 years.
She then started a 34-year career at 3M where she made many good friends. After retiring she moved to Flandreau and became a member at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. She was on the Altar Committee and enjoyed sewing quilts with the church ladies. She also had a love for jewelry and listening to music.
She collected many things including cookbooks which she loved reading and collecting recipes from numerous people. She also loved dancing, playing cards, puzzles, playing softball in her early years than watching her family and friends in later years. She also enjoyed going to garage sales, family get-togethers where she would pass along advice to her nieces, nephews, and friend’s children. She had a great sense of humor which she kept until the end. She also loved traveling, Hawaii with her friend, Helen, and bus trips with her friend, Barb, and many trips with family.
She will be missed! Her Hawaiian Punch and 7-Up will be shared in the future at family gatherings.
Grateful for having shared her life are siblings, Marlene (Larry) Smallfield, Pipestone, MN, Harv (Rosie) Wittrock, Colman, SD, and Deb (Dan) Quick, Flandreau, SD; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.  
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Lucille Wittrock Carstensen, stepdad, Fred Carstensen, brother, Lyle Wittrock, nephew Quisto Quick, good friend, Barb McDonald, and many family and friends.
Private family services will be held at a later date.