Darlene A. Pflaum

Darlene A. Pflaum of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital at the age of 86 years with her loving family at her side.

Funeral Services for Darlene will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Lori Pankratz officiating. The burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with a time of fellowship to follow in the church dining hall.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, April 14th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Darlene Ann, daughter of Orville and Helen (Johnson) Freed was born on April 16, 1938, at Hampden, ND. She grew up on the family farm but during the school year, the family would live in Devils Lake. Darlene graduated from Devils Lake Central High School with the class of 1956.

At a dance in Starkweather, Darlene was swept off her feet by Harry Pflaum. They married on September 6, 1957, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church and danced in each others love and embrace for 67 years. This beautiful couple made a home and raised their two children Lynette and Brent in Devils Lake for their entire lives.

In addition to caring for her husband and children, Darlene had a career with Ramsey County Social Services for 46 years. She was a hard-working, dedicated employee and was devoted to her clients. She did everything she could to help those in need.

Her favorite pastime was gardening. But as with most everything in her life, she did it alongside Harry. They took several road trips to the West Coast to visit family and on their anniversary, they would get in the car and take a road trip. There wasn’t really any preplanning the trip, once they got in the car, after a little discussion they would head out of town. Darlene hosted many holidays and special family events, but the Christmas morning breakfast always had to include “Ostrich Eggs” and “Monkey Balls” as referred to by the grandkids.

The greatest joys in Darlene’s life were family; the love of her life Harry, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Our precious Darlene will be forever loved, forever missed, and her memory forever cherished.

Darlene’s loving family include her husband Harry; children Lynette (Jim) Schmitz and Brent (Toni) Pflaum; grandchildren Larisa (Todd) Jackson, Wendy (David) Boos: Travis (Kristi) Pflaum, Megan (Dan) Lebrun, Matthew (Jennifer) Pflaum; great grandchildren Carlos, Zachary, Allison, Savanna, Aubrie, Hunter, Bridget and Corbin.

She was preceded in death by her son Boyd, parents Orville and Helen, brother Duane Freed and in-laws Howard and Josephine Pflaum.

A special thank you to the physician and nurses and CHI, St. Alexuis, and Hospice of the Red River Valley.