Darlene R Kilber

Darlene Kilber, 86, Bismarck, passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at DaWise-Perry Funeral Services, 4211 Old Red Trail, Mandan. Visitation will be from one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck.

Darlene was born February 20, 1937, at Stanton, ND, to Fred and Emma (Maas) Sailer. She was raised and educated in Stanton, graduated from Stanton High School in 1955. She was the youngest of 13 children. Darlene was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, rural Stanton. She married Calvin Kilber on June 24, 1955, together they had three children, Jerome, Mallory and Suzanne.

She was self-employed and did all the woodwork in several newly constructed apartment buildings in Bismarck. In early 1980's with a paintbrush, roller and ladder, she painted and finished all the woodwork, inside and out at her nieces new seafood restaurant, "Skippers", located in Bismarck. She retired from the University of Mary, after 12 years of taking charge of the student dorm buildings. Keeping them in order and tidy. She received an award for a job well done.

She enjoyed tending to her garden, canning her fruits of labor for everyone to enjoy. She took seriously the gift she was given, caring for her daughter, who needed help with some challenges in life, keeping her by her side for 51 years.

She is survived by her two sons, Jerome (Sandra) and Mal (Sandy); five grandchildren, Cory (Lacy), Craig (Hailey), Jessy (Jeff) Peterson, Marty, and Kaitlin (Courtney) Kilber; eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband; parents; daughter, Suzanne Kilber; brothers, Oswald Sailer, Edmar Sailer, Reuben Sailer, Emil Sailer, Eldor Sailer, Levi Sailer, Wilmer Sailer, and Oscar Sailer; sisters, Frieda Heine, Elsie Rathjen, Edna Neuberger, Bernice Huff.

Darlene will be greatly missed by her family and all that knew her.