Darleen Navara

Darleen Ann Navara, age 91 of Randolph, MN died on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the Northfield Retirement Center.

Darleen was born at home in Randolph Township on October 2, 1926 weighing 2 pounds, 2 ounces. Her parents, Tony and Sadie (Zahratka) Kruse kept her alive by placing her in a cigar box on the oven door as a makeshift incubator. She attended Randolph Schools, graduating in 1944. She was an active supporter of the school her entire life, including being involved with PTA and Band Boosters.

She was united in marriage to Raymond Navara on February 19, 1949 at St. Pius V Catholic Church, Cannon Falls. They were married 61 years until his death in 2010. Darleen was an accomplished accordion player and started her work career as an accordion teacher. She held various jobs, and during World War II, Darleen worked at 3M Tape Plant in St. Paul and Gopher Munitions in Rosemount. Most notably, she worked as an office manager at Midwest Pallet and at St. Pius Church, all the while continuing to teach accordion. She enjoyed sewing, bowling, crossword puzzles and agate hunting.

She will be missed by her loving family; her children, Raylene (Sheldon) Streed of Woodbury, Kevin (Laurene) Navara of Cannon Falls, Kerry (Martha) Navara of Woodbury, Jacquelyn (Scott) Kroll of Randolph, and Melanie (Eugene) Hogan of Eureka, WI; 14 grandchildren, Sandi Chamyan, Joshua Dale, Tobi Senetra, Becki Banitt, Cari Lundell, Brandon Navara, Jesse Navara, Joe Navara, Tony Navara, Matt Kroll, Alyssa Andrade, Andrea Kroll, Kayla Swedberg and Kristian Swedberg; 13 great grandchildren, Alex Dale, Nathaniel Dale, Madeline Dale, Michael Banitt, Ashley Strauss, Tayler Banitt, Maddox Lundell, Mia Lundell, Holden Navara, Gabriella Navara, Elizabeth Navara, Owen Kroll, and Hayley Kroll; 2 great-great grandchildren, Adam Strauss and Tessa Banitt; cousin, Ann Myrand of St. Paul; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Viola (Carl) Johansson; husband, Raymond; daughter, Kristine; and son-in-law, Ronnie Dale.

A special thank you to the staff at Northfield Retirement Community for the care they provided.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 5 from 3-7 p.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 6 at 10:30 a.m., with visitation from 9:30-10:30 a.m., at St. Pius V Catholic Church, Cannon Falls. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be her grandsons and honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters.