Darlene Hahler

Darlene Christine Hahler, 90, of Mellette, SD, passed away Sunday, October 23, 2022, at Faulkton Senior Living.

The Memorial Service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Mansfield, with Pastor Bret Bierman officiating. A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the service at the church hall.

Burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Darlene Christina Reiger was born November 1, 1931, to Jacob and Matilda (Kurle) Reiger in Hillsview, SD. In her early years, she lived in Bowdle, SD, and Mobridge, SD. She worked as a hairdresser before marrying Melvin Hahler and settling down at the Hahler family farm near Chelsea, SD. Darlene and Melvin were married on February 14, 1960. They raised three children together: Gary, Dawn, and Donald.

Darlene was a very social person, who would never turn down a friendly competition. Bingo and cards always held her attention. Many of her friends and family would call her a “card shark.” Playing games with family and friends made her the happiest, but she would often occupy her alone time with word searches as well. She loved to watch any and all sporting events at Northwestern High School. She was very involved in her grandchildren’s lives and loved being around them most of all. In the late 90s and early 2000s, you could find her smiling face serving coffee in the morning at Hahler’s Bar & Grill or making large batches of potato salad. She never missed an opportunity to make cream cheese mints for any event. Her mashed potatoes will always be a family favorite.

Thankful for being part of her life are her children: Gary Hahler, Dawn Hahler, and Donald (Kelly) Hahler; granddaughters, Tyler (Dominic) Wollman and Madison (Favian) Aguirre; grandson, Wyatt; great-grandchildren: Ashlyn, Makadyn, Kannon, Leightyn, Archer, and Rafael. Darlene also leaves behind a sister, Dee (Loren) Nelson; a sister-in-law, Irene Hahler; and many nieces and nephews.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Melvin Hahler; brothers: Deloyd, Lyle, and Harry Reiger; and brothers-in-law Kenneth and Donald K. Hahler.