Darlene was born on February 13, 1934, to parents Alex and Margaret (Scheetz) Rau in Sidney, MT. She was the 5th of six children. Her brothers gave Darlene a nickname, “Toots”, which they were the only ones that could call her that. She attended and graduated from school in Sidney. She met and married Willmer “Sonny” Lorenz on February 24, 1952. Darlene always referred to Sonny as her hubby. They had three children, Tim, Dennis, and Pat. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with their family. They built their lives around the Lord, a firm foundation for their marriage lasting over 68 years.

Sonny and Darlene farmed south of Sidney, eventually buying two adjoining farms across the river. She was very involved with the farm and would often drive a beet truck during harvest. Darlene was a great cook and always had a meal ready for Sonny and the kids when they came in from farming. She also enjoyed baking treats. In 1978, they built their home on a hill, overlooking the valley and their farm. Darlene would keep a watchful eye on things through her binoculars.

Darlene had a heart for people. Later she studied to be a CNA so she could care for people at the Sidney Health Center. She worked there for over 20 years before she retired. Aside from this, Darlene found joy in helping others in need. She especially enjoyed driving people around. Whether it was giving someone a ride across town or driving someone to a nearby town for an appointment, she was willing and ready. Up until she was unable to, she was driving her brother, Willmer, to Williston for weekly appointments. Sometimes her drives were for fun things, like loading her van up with her friends for a day trip to Medora.

While she had a heart for people and delighted in helping others, her biggest joy would be sharing who her heart belonged to. Darlene gave her life to Jesus at a tent revival in her teen years. She was passionate about her Lord and Savior and her concern was always that others would come to know Him too. Darlene was very active in her church and would talk frequently about mission trips to Mexico. Daily she would spend time in prayer with the Lord. She prayed for those she knew and even those she didn’t. If she noticed someone alone or bullied, she would stop and pray for them. She was a prayer warrior.
Darlene went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 3, 2022, the Sidney Health Center Extended Care, Sidney, MT.

She is survived by: her two sons, Tim (Jolene) Lorenz and Dennis (Tamar) Lorenz; her daughter, Patricia “Pat” (Bill) Cundiff all of Sidney, MT; 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Alice Rau. Edna Rambur, and Bernice Reidle; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Willmer “Sonny” Lorenz; grandson, Matt Lorenz; her great granddaughter, Macee Lorenz; her brothers, Willmer Rau, Marvin Rau, and Doug Rau; her sisters, Alfreda Perrson and Ester Young.