Darlene Hopper, age 86, of Cavour, passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at Avantara in Huron, South Dakota. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron with burial to follow at Manchester Cemetery. Visitation, with her family present, will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Tuesday morning.

Darlene Joyce Hopper was born on September 19, 1938 to parents John and Ida (Strickler) Ferguson in Kingsbury County, South Dakota. She grew up on the family farm attending Ferguson Country School from grades 1st through 8th. She then attended Bancroft High School, graduating in 1956.

Darlene married Lynn Hopper on January 12, 1958. The young couple moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1958 and worked at Our Own Hardware store. After a few years, they moved back to South Dakota and settled in rural Cavour. Darlene held several jobs in her life including Huron Chamber of Commerce, Randall's Bakery for 16 years, Hickory House Motor Inn for 3 years, before starting a long career at Coney Island Café for 21 years.

Darlene and Lynn loved to travel and play music in several states, many of their songs could be heard over the radio. She enjoyed all the aspects of country living—gardening, baking, cooking, raising house plants, playing cards, and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra (Brett) Aldrich of Cavour; granddaughter, Sadie (Jacob) Dart; great-grandchildren, Diego and Alejandra Aldrich, Braxton, Rhett, Clayton, Tate Dart; her siblings, Robert Ferguson of MN, Norman (Lois) Ferguson of Huron, Marilyn (Carl) Borrett of IA, Sharon Crumine of WY, Leonard (Roseann) Ferguson of IL, and Donald Ferguson of MN; and many nieces and  nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ida Ferguson; husband Lynn Hopper; granddaughter Brittney Aldrich, great-granddaughter Hannah Aldrich; her grandparents; infant brother Ronald, and sister-in-law Carla Ferguson.