Our beloved mother and grandmother, Darlene Ann Noecker, passed away peacefully at SMP Health-St. Raphael on July 7th, 2026, at the age of 81, surrounded by her family. Born on April 21, 1945, in Sanborn, she was the middle child of three siblings and was the heart of her family, raising three daughters with love and dedication. She was known for her warm smile and her caring heart.

Darlene grew up on the family farm and attended Sanborn High School, where she was active in basketball, cheerleading, and band, graduating in 1963. She married Ronald Noecker, and they lived on a farm near Sanborn, where they raised their children. Later, Darlene moved to Valley City, where she worked as a receiving manager in retail for over 30 years.

Darlene loved gardening, crafts, dancing, bowling, camping, and snowmobiling, in which she was a member of the Sheyenne Sno Drifters snowmobiling club. She was a wonderful and caring person to all her family and friends. Her home was a place where everyone felt welcome, and her laugh would make everyone smile.

She is survived by her daughters, Sheila (Gerson) Echeverry, Ronda (Neil) Amann, Georgia (Brian) Welken; grandchildren, Riley (Ashley) Adams, Caden Amann, Amelia Echeverry, Santiago Echeverry, Gavin Welken, and Halle Welken; great grandchildren, Oaklyn and Peyton Adams; brother, Gerald (Karen) Wendel; sister Kathy Carlson; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred and Alice (Gill) Wendel.

Her funeral Mass will be held at St. Catherine Catholic Church at 10:30 am on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Visitation will be the hour before the service. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Sanborn, ND. The service will be live-streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with her obituary on her tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com. An online guestbook is available there as well. Traditions Funeral Services in Valley City is honored to assist the family with arrangements.