Darlene Wickens

Darlene passed away peacefully in Missoula on Thursday, January 18th at the age of 97. She was born on October 6, 1926 to Jack and Hazel (Holtz) Mendenhall in Parks, Nebraska. She grew up in Valentine, Nebraska along with her sister and brother. In 1946, she married Jim Boyce, and they raised their 3 boys in Denver, Colorado. In 1979, Jim and Darlene began an adventure as they moved to Ronan, Montana. They were just 3 days short of 53 years of marriage when Jim passed away in 1999.

 

Darlene loved and embraced life, and she enriched the lives of all who knew her. Among her many interests and hobbies, she enjoyed fishing, sailing, cooking, baking, and crocheting beautiful afghans for her family.

 

She began another part of her life adventure when Darlene moved to Lewistown, Montana in 2006. While there, she met and then married Tom Wickens in 2009. They remained together for 7 years until his passing in 2016. Darlene moved to Missoula in 2019 and resided in assisted living places as her health deteriorated.

 

She is survived by her children: Kyle and his wife Caroline of Missoula; Jack and his wife Linda of Lewistown; 6 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and many friends.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Keith Mendenhall, her sister Glenny Chicoine, and her son Robert Boyce.

 

Her wishes were to be cremated with no services scheduled at this time.

 

Donations in Darlene's name may be made to Soft Landing Missoula at 939 Stephens Avenue, Suite C, Missoula, MT 59801 or Big Sky Palliative and Hospice at 1900 S. Reserve Street, Missoula, MT 59801