Darlene Marjorie Ann Albertson Pinke

Darlene Marjorie Ann Albertson Pinke, 95, Elkton, Minn., passed away Wednesday evening, Dec. 9, 2020, at Whispering Oaks Place, Ellendale, Minn. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, May 15, at St. John’s Church, Elkton, Minn. Lunch will follow at the Elkton community center.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.
Darlene was born May 13, 1925, in Leland, the daughter of Simon and Gladys Rygmer Albertson.  She attended school in Leland, graduating from Lake Mills High School in 1942.  She continued her education at Business College, Mason City,  studying comptometers.  
She started her career at Stacy Fruit Company, Mason City, in their billing department, before working at Wilson’s Meat Packing, Albert Lea, Minn., in accounts-receivable. Next, she was hired by George A. Hormel himself overseeing accounts-receivable at Hormel Foods until 1952, when she started a family.
She was united in marriage to Kenneth Max Pinke, June 8, 1947, in Leland. They made their home in rural Elkton, Minn., where Kenneth worked at George A. Hormel as a mechanic from 1947 until his retirement in 1982.  They also farmed during that time, retiring from farming in 1992.  
Darlene was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Elkton, Minn. They were part of a local card club for 20 years, and enjoyed square-dancing at all of the local and state conventions. There they cultivated dear friends, and traveled the word in retirement sharing her jovial, warm-heartedness and laughter in their adventures together.
Tending the land and caring for her family was never a job. She warmed the home and all those she touched. She enjoyed square dancing, bringing up her children and grandchildren on the farm, winning at cards (a card-shark taught by her uncle, Chryst), and shared her Norwegian heritage through her cooking and baking.
Survivors include her three children: Dana (Sherri) Pinke, Roberts, Wis.; Dawn (Paul) Anderson, St. Paul, Minn.; and Karen (Robert) Hyland, Elkton; four grandchildren: James Pinke, Sean Pinke, Ian Cooper and Erik (Casey) Hyland; three great-grandchildren: Diego Pinke, Adeline Hyland, and Atle Hyland; one brother, Rodney (Sue) Albertson, Colorado Springs, Colo.  
She was preceded in death by her parents, Simon and Gladys Albertson; one brother, Charles Albertson, Leland; son, Dennis Pinke; and grandson, Elijah Cooper.