I met Dar in high school, when she moved to White Bear Lake from Cloquet. We became fast buddies. She was full of the dickens and loved fun. She taught me how to drive a stick shift, we learned cheerleading together and both tried out for the squad at the same time ( she was thrilled when she didn't make it and was so happy for me because I did ! ), we worked at Del Farm, lived together in an apt after high school, and Dar was dating my now husband's best buddy and introduced me to Bill. I was with Dar at the U of M one weekend when she met her husband, Bill Luther. We both married a "Bill" and were in each other's weddings. Dar was a one-of-a-kind gal. She could make it through tough times with a smile and a beautiful heart. She lost her first child due to gestational diabetes, she gave birth to a second child with down syndrome, Alex, and she became VERY active in the Special Olympics program. Alex is an amazing adult now, living away from home, and has a full-time job. Darlene and Bill also have a beautiful daughter, Alecia Darlene and Bill both served us at the Capitol. Dar was a Representative in Brooklyn Park and Bill became a U.S. Senator in Washington DC. Dar became very sick and needed a liver transplant, nearly dying, but surviving and continued living with that amazing giving heart of hers. However, an underlying condition (stomach cancer) took over. She became very ill and died at home after a valiant struggle to survive it. I get phone calls to this day unexpectedly from her son, Alex, asking me if I have any pictures of his mom. I think I have sent him every one I had, or I would put one in this post. Darlene and I went our separate ways for a long time after our marriages, as most friendships seem to do - but we always carried our love for each other with us - and when Dar died, she took part of my heart with her. Anyone who knew Dar would agree with me - she is shining brightly in heaven.
Yes, Jill she was amazing and fun! We got together when we lived near each other in Brooklyn Park and I met her husband and two children. Always had a smile on her face! She was a Representative at the time...imagine having time to meet up with an old friend from high school. I think of her often with fondness and always wondered how her children were doing so thanks for the update!
Jill Wiegand (Sievers)
I met Dar in high school, when she moved to White Bear Lake from Cloquet. We became fast buddies. She was full of the dickens and loved fun. She taught me how to drive a stick shift, we learned cheerleading together and both tried out for the squad at the same time ( she was thrilled when she didn't make it and was so happy for me because I did ! ), we worked at Del Farm, lived together in an apt after high school, and Dar was dating my now husband's best buddy and introduced me to Bill. I was with Dar at the U of M one weekend when she met her husband, Bill Luther. We both married a "Bill" and were in each other's weddings. Dar was a one-of-a-kind gal. She could make it through tough times with a smile and a beautiful heart. She lost her first child due to gestational diabetes, she gave birth to a second child with down syndrome, Alex, and she became VERY active in the Special Olympics program. Alex is an amazing adult now, living away from home, and has a full-time job. Darlene and Bill also have a beautiful daughter, Alecia Darlene and Bill both served us at the Capitol. Dar was a Representative in Brooklyn Park and Bill became a U.S. Senator in Washington DC. Dar became very sick and needed a liver transplant, nearly dying, but surviving and continued living with that amazing giving heart of hers. However, an underlying condition (stomach cancer) took over. She became very ill and died at home after a valiant struggle to survive it. I get phone calls to this day unexpectedly from her son, Alex, asking me if I have any pictures of his mom. I think I have sent him every one I had, or I would put one in this post. Darlene and I went our separate ways for a long time after our marriages, as most friendships seem to do - but we always carried our love for each other with us - and when Dar died, she took part of my heart with her. Anyone who knew Dar would agree with me - she is shining brightly in heaven.
Dorene Trana (Peifer)
Yes, Jill she was amazing and fun! We got together when we lived near each other in Brooklyn Park and I met her husband and two children. Always had a smile on her face! She was a Representative at the time...imagine having time to meet up with an old friend from high school. I think of her often with fondness and always wondered how her children were doing so thanks for the update!