Darlene Joyce (Bittner) Olson, took her final breath Tuesday, May 15 at 10:59 pm. Born March 11, 1936 to Leo and Della Bittner, she demonstrated love as mothers throughout time have provided.
A COPD patient in Staples, her family was invited in to visit Monday afternoon. Not expecting her to live through supper, family and friends visited and kept company. Holding her hand, the group laughed, cried and reminisced as she slumbered. With time passing and evening approaching, Darlene was determined to stay as the younger generation remained by her bedside, in the room and spilling out into the hallway. At one point, they gathered with their mother to sing Happy Birthday to her daughter. Darlene silently partied as youth attempted to imbue life into her with voice and touch. Clergy stopped to pray, and friends stopped to care, and Darlene lived on throughout Monday and into Tuesday.
With revised advice that dinner time would not be enjoyed, her children continued to visit and talk, not leaving her. Growing more weary, color fading, the matriarch displayed determination demonstrated throughout her life, resolved to stay with her children and keep them from straying. Beyond dinner, and 24 hours past the supper she was not expected to partake, she carried on, patiently tneding her children.
As mothers know, it can be a challenge to get children to calm down and sleep at one time. Darlene awaited the inevitable peace that all offspring must find before cosnidering her own rest. At 10:30, some, who had not slept for days, sought brief rest at a nearby hotel. Some sought a brief respite at their local homes. Several found hospital chairs and fashioned makeshift beds. With only a couple weary souls sitting quietly nearby, their eyes blinking sleepily, the mother in Darlene recognized that at the end of the long day, her strong family was finally and safely quiet, calm and resting.
Soon thereafter, understanding that her children were each settling down and finding their own peace, a good and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother took a deep breath before finding rest at the end of her long, full day.
Living forever in our hearts, Mom will be missed.
