Darlene Pawlowski, age 83, passed away at the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home in Glendive on Saturday, March 3, 2018.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2018 at the First Lutheran Church in Circle, Mont. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the First Lutheran Church with Pastor Wade Brinkopf officiating. Interment will follow in Riverview Cemetery in Circle. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Darlene was born in Glendive on June 20, 1934, to Heinrich and Ruth (Lokken) Heide. She joined her brother, Dale, and later her sister, Helen. They lived on two different farms south of Circle. The first farm they lived on had a large hip roof barn with a staircase that led to the hay loft. Many neighborhood gatherings were held in the barn with the adults dancing all night and the children falling asleep in the hay loft.
Darlene rode horseback or rode in a one horse two wheeled buggy to get to the two country schools that she attended, Lower Summit School and Washington School. She went on to Circle High School where she met a dashing young cowboy from north of town by the name of Leo Jensen. Darlene and Leo were married on June 5, 1952, and had four children: Lora, Lonny, Lila and Les.
Leo was in the Marines and when first married, they lived in California until Leo’s discharge. Then Leo and Darlene lived on the Jensen family farm where they raised small grains, cattle and sheep. Darlene loved to cook and sew, making many of the family’s clothes. Later she switched to making quilts and made sure everyone in the family had a quilt. Darlene and Leo loved to square dance and spent many weekends dancing with friends. Darlene made her own square dance dresses and shirts for Leo. Leo passed away in 1985.
Darlene began dating local farmer and rancher, Wayne Pawlowski. Darlene and Wayne were married on February 1, 1986, and the dancing continued. Wayne played the steel guitar and almost every weekend was spent making music and dancing. They lived on a farm west of Circle, and every winter they spent a couple of months in the eastern and southern states sightseeing, visiting family, golfing and, of course, dancing. Darlene was a member of the First Lutheran Church, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Friendship Homemakers Club and was a 4-H Leader. Wayne passed away in December 2014, and Darlene moved to the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home in February 2015.
Darlene is survived by her brother, Dale (Jeannette) Heide; her children, Lonny (Sharon) Jensen, Lila Hoffman and Les (Delores) Jensen; stepchildren, Lonnie (Joan) Pawlowski, Rick Pawlowski, Cheryl (Joe) Breitbach and Lynn Glick; and grandchildren, Rhiannon (Bob) Beery, Ryley, Brytta and Kyn, Karly (Cavin) Steiger and Abry, Elise and Evan, Tiana Jensen, Shane Hoffman, Marc Hoffman and Sam Hoffman. Darlene was blessed with numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Darlene is preceded in death by her first husband, Leo Jensen; second husband, Wayne Pawlowski; daughter, Lora Jensen; parents, Heinrich and Ruth Heide; sister, Helen Savidge; and brother-in-law, Bob Savidge.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home for the loving care they gave Mom.
Memorials in Darlene’s honor may be made to First Lutheran Church of Circle or the charitable organization of your choice.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.