Darlene Zacher, 86, died on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at her home in Fargo, North Dakota under the care of Hospice and her family after a short battle with cancer.

Darlene was born near Tunbridge, North Dakota on June 24, 1932, but spent all but the first 18 months of her childhood in the Knox, North Dakota area. She was the second youngest of 12 children born to Simon J. and Frances (Hoffart) Bosch. She graduated from Knox High School in 1950, where she played on the girls 6-on-6 basketball team.

Darlene was united in marriage to Eugene Zacher on Nov. 9, 1950 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Knox. The couple raised four children and farmed in rural Balta, North Dakota, until they moved to nearby Rugby in 1975. They retired from farming in 1987. Darlene worked as a waitress at the Hub Restaurant in Rugby from 1972 to 1978 and as a sales clerk in Rugby's Ben Franklin store from 1978 to 1980.  She worked as an in-home care specialist for Pierce County Social Services from June 1980 to February 2001 where she enjoyed helping others live independently in their homes.  After Eugene died, she moved to Fargo in 2015 to live closer to her children and grandchildren. 

Darlene was a member of Nativity Catholic Church in Fargo at the time of her death. She attended and participated in various church-related activities at Rugby's Little Flower and Balta's Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Churches for most of her adult life.

Darlene was an avid pinochle and bingo player whose biggest jackpot was a 1996 Dodge Neon she won in a bingo event at the Dunseith Bingo Barn.  Until she became ill, she devotedly kept a personal diary of each day's life events since 1949.  She was a loyal fan of reality television shows, Minnesota Twins games, and game shows, especially the Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud.  She was an expert in canning and her canned pickles were highly coveted by family and friends who were allowed to share the dozens of quarts she continued to prepare until this year. Darlene wasn’t intimidated by technology and loved receiving and sending text messages.  She earned her motorcycle license when in her mid-40s and enjoyed cruising the streets of Rugby on summer nights with her 100cc Kawasaki. 

Darlene’s family was very important to her, as she was to them.  She is survived by two daughters, Karen (Gerry) Schumacher, Jeanette (Dennis) Holland, all of Fargo; a son, Dale (Yu-li Chang) Zacher of Sartell, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Ryan (Heidi) and Brandon Schumacher, JJ (Keri) Wiest, Katie Hanson, Luke and Daniel Zacher; three great-grandchildren, Austin Schumacher, Christopher Hanson and Colt Wiest; as well as several beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eugene (2008); and a son, David (2006). Darlene was the last surviving sibling in her family of sisters; Elizabeth Miltenberger, Margaret McLean, Helen Frech, Lena Bosch and brothers; Leo, Pete. George, Ed, Joe, Lenard and Bob Bosch.  

Memorial donations can be given to Hospice of the Red River Valley in Fargo or the Little Flower Catholic School in Rugby.

Visitation from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service following at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 25, at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo. Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 27 at the Little Flower Church, Rugby with spring burial in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday with a rosary and vigil service at 7 p.m. and on Wednesday from 9-10:30 a.m. all in the Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.  There will be no reviewal in the church on Wednesday. 

Arrangements entrusted to Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo and Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby. Online condolences at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com and www.funeralsbyanderson.com.