Darlene Ruth Thompson Sacquitne Vine’s life was defined by her Faith, her Family, and her friends. She passed away at the age of 93 on June 26th at home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Glenwood Lutheran Church, 1197 Old Stage Road, Decorah, Iowa, with Pastor Randy Kittelson presiding. Burial will be held in the Russell Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water Street, Decorah, Iowa. There will be no visitation before the service on Wednesday morning at the church. Please come in and be seated.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to your church, cemetery or favorite charity.

Darlene was born February 11, 1933, to Ole and Sophia (Blum) Thompson and was number 12 of 13 children.

She married Raymond I. Sacquitne, April 16, 1950. Together they had six children: Renda Lou, Reynold Lee, Robin Louise, Raymond Loren, Roxanne Lynne, and Roland Lester. She married Vernon Harvey Vine on November 20, 1982. Darlene lived in Decorah all her life except for three years in Sac City.

While raising her family Darlene was their Sunday school teacher, girl-scout leader, cub-scout leader, 4-H leader, and still had time to cook delicious meals.

Darlene was an avid supporter of veterans. She was actively involved with the VFW Helof Holm Auxiliary 1977 for 68 years. She was the local president, vice-president, conductress, and color bearer. She was District 9 President, conductress, banner bearer, guard assistant and youth activity director for 30 years. She attended many state conventions.

Darlene cooked at Ruby’s, Silver Crest, the VFW, Van’s, the Elks, East End Café, the IOOF, the drive in theater concession stand, and was a farm wife in Glenwood and Canoe Twp. She was a dispatcher for Decorah Taxi and worked with her husband Ray’s business, Eastern Iowa Breeders (AI).

Darlene was an active member of Glenwood Lutheran Church and Hauge Lutheran Church as a circle member, a WELCA member and an usher. She attended many synod meetings and was the first woman president of Hauge Church for 20 years. Darlene was actively involved with the Russell Cemetery and German Canoe Methodist cemetery.

Being a mother, a grandmother, and a great ‘peek’ grandmother was her greatest joy.

Darlene is survived by son Reynold (Sue) Sacquitne of Maple Grove, MN, daughter Robin (Marvin) Althoff of Guttenberg, IA, son Raymond ‘Turtle’ (Kelly) Sacquitne of Decorah, IA, daughter Roxanne Lueschow of Decorah, IA; grandchildren Jenni Sacquitne, Ragen (Jason) Jacobs, Jake (Kaela) Sacquitne, Serenity (Kevin) Moffett, Lydia (Andrew) Larson, Trinity Lueschow, Matt Althoff, Kenneth Logan (Kelly) Lueschow, and Isaac (Ana) Althoff; great-grandchildren Cameron, Kylie (Cade), Jared (Olivia), Ethan, Josh, Carter, Blair, Erica, Graham, Natalie, Russell, Ethan, Noah, and Owen; sister-in-law Lorraine “Sis” Sacquitne; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by parents Ole and Sophia Augusta (Blum) Thompson, parent-in-laws Meyer and Ida (Askelson) Sacquitne, Ernest and Christine (Hanson) Vine, son Roland ‘Tumper’ 1973, daughter Renda 2009, son-in-law Kent Lueschow 2004, granddaughter Louise Wilhelm 1979, grandson Jared Wilhelm 1981, first husband Ray I. Sacquitne 1980, and second husband Vernon Vine 2014. Also preceding her in death were, siblings Harold (Ruth) Thompson, Raymond Thompson, Lucille (Bob) Walker, Gertruth (Nick) Kakos, Orval Thompson, Dorothy (George) Carroll, Margaret (Richard) Swanson, LaVerne (Giles) Tiernan, Frances (Orval) Haugen, baby girl Thompson, Alice (Frederick) Reum, Beverly (Edward) Dickman.