Shirley M. Darling, 66, of Grand Forks and formerly of Brinsmade, ND, died Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at her home surrounded by her family and under the care of Altru Hospice.  Funeral Services will be Saturday, December 18, 2010, 2:00pm at Leeds Lutheran Church with Pastor Richard Budd officiating.  Interment will be in the spring at the Brinsmade Lutheran Cemetery.  Visitation will be Saturday at the church an hour before the service.  Music for the service will be from Nancy Silliman, soloist with Dan Nybo, organist.  Honorary bearers will be: Craig Fisk, Marty Amble, Harry Darling, Ray Darling, Kenny Remmen, Gary Remmen, Tom Russell, Stan Miller, Donald Strang, Tom Nordhaugen, Mick Kester, Roger Kenner, and all the Mesa  Regal friends.

Shirley Mae Remmen was born May 12, 1944 to Norman and Clarine (Stensby) Remmen.  She was raised in Brinsmade  and attended grade school there  and high school in Leeds.   She was baptized, confirmed, and married at the Brinsmade Lutheran Church. On June 24, 1960, Shirley married Duane Darling, her life-long love and  best friend. The couple lived in Mayville while Duane finished college.  Duane's jobs as a teacher and then as a superintendent  brought their family to North Dakota communities: Drayton, Esmond, Fordville, Michigan, Center, Berthold and Southheart. They also lived in Mentor, MN.  Wherever they lived, Shirley made each house a home, and delighted in entertaining  family, friends, and co-workers.  She also worked with children; in her early years, she had daycare and then later, she worked at many of the schools driving the special education bus.

Following retirement, the couple made their home in Grand Forks during the summer months and in Mesa, AZ  during the winter months.   Shirley enjoyed life; her laugh was her trademark making it easy to know whenever she was in a room. She shared her laugh often with her family and with the many friends she so easily made.  Anyone entering her house was immediately welcomed with a smile and a fresh-baked goody served on one of the many dishes she collected. She and Duane enjoyed garage sales, looking for furniture pieces to restore for their home and later for Plain and Fancy Antique Mall in Grand Forks, ND.  Shirley enjoyed coffee with friends, meals with family, and time with her grandchildren. All her days –even her final ones—were filled with a positive attitude, kind actions, and gentle words. Her family and friends will forever celebrate the joy she brought to their lives.

Surviving is her husband: Duane of Grand Forks; a son: Douglas (Teresa) Darling of Devils Lake; a daughter: Denise (Craig) Fisk of Lakota, ND; a daughter-in-law: Sheri Amble of Munich, ND; nine grandchildren: Kyle Fisk, DJ Darling, Trevor Darling, Jessica Fisk, Miranda Darling, Kaiti Amble, Adrienne Darling, Taryn Amble, and Cody Amble; a brother: Gary (Tammy) Remmen of Devils Lake, ND and a sister: Jan (Randal) Wagner of Lakewood, CO. Also surviving is her Arizona "family"—some dear friends from shared days in North Dakota education, and others new friends from Mesa Regal.

Preceding her in death were her parents; son: Daniel Darling; brothers: Ronald and Dean Remmen.



Condolences:

DEAR FAMILY,  I WAS SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT SHIRLEY! SHE WILL BE TRULY MISSED! I ALWAYS ENJOYED VISITING WITH HER IN MESA IN MARCH. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WILL BE WITH YOUR FAMILY!  GOD BLESS YOU!  LOVE AND PRAYERS,  SHERILYN JULSON

We wish to express are sympathy for Duane and his family.  We are in Arizona for the Winter.  We enjoyed our many visits with Shirley. Wayne & Vicki Lingen

Duane (Swede) and Family, I was so saddened to hear of Shirley's death. We share many chapters in our life stories way back from Brinsmade days and later when we were both  young families living in Grand Forks. I still remember your carpet pieces living room rug that fit wherever you lived and the comforting, joy-filled sound of Shirley's laughter. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.   Donna Marsaa Lemar

Duane and family - We are so sorry to lose Shirley.  We will all miss her so much.  We will miss her laugh, her hospitality, her friendship and everything about her.  She fought so valiantly to live and was so positive and upbeat during her long 2 1/2 years of treatment.  She is an inspiration to all of us and she has left a tremendous legacy for her family.  Our prayers and thoughts are constantly with you as you deal with your huge loss.  Tom and Lois Russell

Our condolences to the Darling family. Shirley was always a joy to run into and visit with.  With sympathy from Jim and Norma Vasichek

Our deepest sympathy to all of you at the loss of Shirley. Lynn and Bob Yri