Darline Helen Witt

Darline Mae Helen (Brockopp) Witt received her crown of righteousness on August 28, 2023, having lived 93 years.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now awaits for me the crown of righteousness.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie with Rev. Kirk Lee and Rev. Mark Schwarz officiating. Music will be provided by the organist, Maureen Diedrich. Private family interment will take place at Elmhurst Cemetery, St. Paul.

The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church.

The oldest of four children, Darline was born to George and Elsie (Mielke) Brockopp on November 7, 1929, in Parkers Prairie. She was baptized at St John’s Lutheran Church, Parkers Prairie, on December 1, 1929. Her family later moved to Vining where she attended school, completing 8^th grade. She was confirmed on May 24, 1942, at Zion Lutheran Church, North Effington. Darline farmed with her dad and fondly recalled cultivating corn and plowing with a single bottom plow. She married Ervin Witt on her 17^th birthday at Zion Lutheran Church in North Effington, and together they farmed in Urbank and Leaf Valley. They moved to St Paul in 1953, purchased their first home and later Darline took a job at Montgomery Ward working in the “bargain room”. In 1975, Ervin and Darline purchased Eagle Lake Lodge in Fifty Lakes, Minnesota, and became small resort owners. They made many new friends and enjoyed their time together at the resort. After Ervin died in 1985, Darline continued running the resort until 1994, when she retired and moved back to Parkers Prairie. She filled her retirement years with gardening, canning enough for a family of 10, crocheting endless afghans and potholders, quilting with the Ladies Aid at Immanuel Lutheran and creating various woodworking projects with her scroll saw. She entered St. William’s Assisted Living Center in 2019, and later St. William’s Nursing Home.

Darline was preceded in death by her husband Ervin, parents George and Elsie Brockopp, brother Delbert, sister Doreen and husband Marvin Ost, and son-in-law Mike Ballis.

She is survived by her daughter Corrine Ballis; son Curtis (Kathryn) Witt; sister Dolloween (James) Hauer; sister-in-law Margie Brockopp; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Urn Bearers are Curt Witt, John Witt, Andrew Witt, and Paul Witt.

The family is very grateful to Claudette Bettin for her selfless giving of time in all her visits to Darline. Also, many thanks to the staff of both St. Williams Living Center and Hospice for their caring and kindness shown to Darline and her family. It is sincerely appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Immanual Lutheran Church, Parkers Prairie.