Darlene Mae Borthwick, 88, of the beautiful farming community of Moorhead, Iowa, passed away on August 13, 2019 surrounded by loved ones.

There will be a private family gathering in Brown County, Indiana, one of Roger and Darlene’s favorite places. Memorial contributions can be made to honor Darlene’s passion for gardening to Hope City Church at Urban Act Gardens. (1009 W. Main St., Carmel IN 46032).

Darlene was born to Neil and Sena Nielsen on November 27, 1930 and married Roger on June 1, 1952. Prior to their loving union, she was a wonderful organist for Bethesda Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Iowa. She went on to be a member of Orchard Park Presbyterian Church and worked part-time in the office for Safeguard Business Systems.

She passed down her love and passions through all three generations that she raised that included cooking, bridge, gardening, ceramics, mushroom hunting, and baking. Most notably are her famous and annually awaited Christmas Candy Cane Cookies and Cinnamon Rolls.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents, Neil and Sena Nielsen, along with one brother and four sisters; her warmhearted husband, Roger Borthwick; and her beautiful great-granddaughter, Emma Schonk, who was taken much too soon.  They are all profoundly missed and mightily loved.

Darlene is survived by her four children: Ron (Dori), Larry (Margo), Bruce (Dana) and Julie; nine dear grandchildren: Amanda (Matt), Jim, Jason (Shelby), David, Cara, Sam, Allison, Lindsay (Connor), and Daria; and seven adorable great-grandchildren: Cayden, Liam, Millie. Lucas, Calvin, Henry, and Scarlett.  Their admirable legacy lives on through us, and we are immensely proud to be honored as such.

Roger never met a stranger, and Darlene always had a whimsical sparkle in those beautiful blue eyes. May we live as they did – with contagious laughter, unconditional love, faith in God, and lives with legacies unending.