Darlene M. Skroch

Darlene M. Skroch, 81 year old resident of St. Joseph, MN passed away April 29, 2026. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in St. Wendell, MN with Father Greg Mastey officiating. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. on Monday, May 4, 2026 and from 9-10:30 A.M on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 all at the St. Columbkille Catholic Church in St. Wendell, MN. Caring for Darlene and her family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN Darlene was born on November 3, 1944, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to the late Frances (Sobania) and Peter Pyka. She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Claude Skroch, on September 29, 1964, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Opole, Minnesota. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, hard work, and family while farming near St. Wendell, where they lovingly raised their ten children. Following her years on the farm, Darlene continued her strong work ethic by working at FDC for ten years. She was also a devoted member of St. Columbkille Christian Mothers, where her faith and sense of community remained an important part of her life. Darlene found great joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved playing cards with family and friends, and her home was always a welcoming place. If you stopped by to visit, you could be sure you would never leave hungry. Darlene was an incredible cook who took great pride in preparing meals and bringing people together around the table. Above all, Darlene cherished her family. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who were the center of her world. Her love, warmth, and generosity will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew her. She is survived by children, Arlys Sowada of St. Joseph, MN, David (Patty) Skroch of Rice, MN, Janice (Curt) Winter of St. Joseph, MN, Jodi (Elvin) Sowada of Avon, MN, Debra (Richard) Panek of Avon, MN, Donna (Ray) Gylsen of Glenwood, MN, Mary (Wayne) Paulsen of Glenwood, MN, Carol (Craig) DeJong of Glenwood, MN, Judy (Rory) Seurer of Royalton, MN and Mark Puchalla of St. Joseph, MN; siblings, David (Mary) Pyka, Janice (Dick) Achman, Patty Pyka, Diane Pyka and Annette Pyka; 24 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Darlene was preceded in death by parents, Frances and Peter Pyka; husband, Claude Skroch; siblings, Daniel Pyka, Joan Ann Sunder, Geraldine Kunstleben; infant sister, Joyce Pyka; son-in-law, Neil Stanoch; brothers-in-law, Mark Kunstleben and Keith Brown; and 4 grandchildren.

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Darlene M. Skroch

November 3, 1944 - April 29, 2026