V. Darlene (Herzog) Hanson

Please spend a  moment in  loving memory of V. Darlene Hanson, who died on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at Johnson Memorial at the age of 90 years, 10 months, and 30 days.

Funeral services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson, MN on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 10:30 am.  Burial will be in the Springfield, MN Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 9:30 to 10:30 am at Grace Lutheran Church.

Darlene, the daughter of David and Loretta (Berberich) Johnson, was born February 16, 1932 in rural Springfield, Minnesota.  Darlene grew up at various locations in rural Minnesota, attending a 1-room County School prior to her high school education.

In 1948 Darlene was united in marriage to Robert C. Herzog in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  After living in Nebraska and several Minnesota communities they purchased the newspaper at Ivanhoe, MN in 1960.  Darlene was co-publisher-editor of the Ivanhoe Times for 17 years.  During that time, she and her good friend Evie Johnson undertook responsibility for co-owning and managing a Drive-Inn restaurant.  These were very busy times for Darlene as she worked each day at the newspaper, was involved in community activities and had five children to raise and enjoy.  The children were all actively involved in the family business.

In 1970 Darlene was appointed by Governor Wendell Anderson to the Minnesota Council on Quality Education.  She was a council member for 10 years, serving as an officer six of those years.  Active in politics for many years, Darlene was elected one of the state directors for the MN DFL Party. In 1972 she was elected a National Delegate to the National Democratic Convention held in Miami, Florida.  Upon returning from the National Convention she appeared on Minneapolis TV Jim Klobuchar Show.

Following the sale of the Ivanhoe Times in 1977 Darlene was employed at SW State University, Marshall, MN as Planning Specialist/Field Agent for the regional Educational Coop. Service Unit (ECSU). Darlene moved to Minneapolis in the fall of 1979 where she took a position as researcher with the MN State Legislature at the State Capitol.

In the fall of 1980 Darlene married Robert W. Hanson of Slayton, MN.  She and her husband lived in Slayton for 2 years before moving to Santa Barbara, California for 20 year and then in Arizona.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Robert; five children: Vicki (Kurt) Oellien , Ivanhoe, MN, David (Liz)Herzog, Arco, MN, Charles (Melody) Herzog, Dawson, MN, Kevin (Petra) Herzog, Hawaii, Denice (Tim) Wagley, Brighton, Colorado; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, two step-children, Brad (Lisa) Hanson, St. Cloud, MN, Kersti (Bob) Canon, El Mirage, Arizona; step daughter-in-law, Kim Hanson, Minnespolis, MN and one sister Myrtle Neal of Utah.

Proceeding her in death are parents David and Loretta Johnson; first husband Robert C. Herzog; sisters Lois Plott and Marjorie Murry; one step-son Craig Hanson; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.