Darlene Mehlhoff

Darlene Mehlhoff, 88, of Leola, South Dakota, passed away on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Prairie Heights Health Care in Aberdeen.

A Celebration of Life with a luncheon will be held at Schriver’s Fellowship Center. A date is to be determined.

Burial will follow at Green Mound Cemetery in Leola, SD.

Darlene Bell was born September 13, 1937, to Glenn and Lucy (Howell) Bell in Leola, South Dakota. Darlene grew up on a small farm on the edge of Leola and attended Leola Public School. She was a high school majorette. After graduating in 1956, she worked at the McPherson County Courthouse until her marriage.

Darlene married Ronald Mehlhoff of Leola on May 31, 1959. The couple lived and farmed at 2 different farms near Hosmer before purchasing her uncle’s farm southwest of Leola in 1969. There, they farmed, ranched, and ran a dairy, working diligently side by side.

Outside of farming, Darlene enjoyed sewing and embroidery. She was also a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Leola.

Darlene is survived by daughters Debra Mehlhoff of Aberdeen, her four children Rebecca, Jannelle, Zachary and Chelsey; Cheryl Mehlhoff of Leola, her three children Paul, Aaron and Hope; and son Robert (Renae) Mehlhoff of Bismarck, North Dakota, and His three children Brandon, Latish and Tara. Darlene also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four siblings and one great-grandchild.