Darlene R. French, 85, of Cavour, passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023 at her residence under hospice care with family by her side. Her Memorial Service will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 25, 2023 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron. Visitation, with her family present, will be held from 4-6:30 on Thursday evening at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Huron.

Darlene (Dar) Rose Mack daughter of Louise and Lawrence Mack was born on June 5th, 1937 in Huron SD. Darlene grew up in the Cavour area and graduated from Cavour High School. Darlene was an avid animal lover, especially of horses and dogs. The many dogs that Darlene has had throughout her life brought her great joy and comfort, especially her most recent, Millie, who was always by her side.

Darlene married Marvin French in Huron SD on March 23, 1952. To this union 2 daughters were born, Diane and JoAnn. They lived in several places while Marvin served in the Army and after his discharge they settled on a farm near Cavour where she was a homemaker and worked on the farm. They divorced in 1982. She continued living on the farm and began her career as part of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Huron in the early 1980s. She began as a Volunteer Recruiter before becoming the Program Director in 1987. Darlene worked for the RSVP program for 34 years before retiring.

In 1988 she met Kevin Baird, and they resided together on the farm until her passing. During their 35 years together, they traveled to many places and spent time each winter in Arizona near Kevin's family. They also enjoyed attending her grandchildren's many school and sporting events. Saturday morning coffee with her children and grandchildren was also an important part of their lives.

Grateful for having shared in Darlene's life are her significant other Kevin, one daughter Diane (Greg) Blue; her son-in-law Rod Kretchmer; 4 grandchildren: Tom Kretchmer, Sheri (Nathan Johnson) Kogel, Kelly McDermott, and A.J (Tanya) Blue; 13 great-grandchildren: Jakop Marone, Karissa and Whitney Kretchmer, Allie (Lane Knipfer) and Shawn Diehl, Sierra Kogel, Justice (Wilmer Diaz-Gonzalez), Jasmine and Jace McDermott, Anthony, Brianna, Micah, and Ellie Blue; 3 great-great-grandchildren: Eli Diaz-McDermott, Mason and Liam Knipfer. Her brother, Larry (Sandy) Mack; her brother-in-law Harold Flowers; as well as several nieces, nephews, close friends, and her dog Millie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Jan Flowers, and daughter Jo Ann Kretchmer.