Darlene Minnie (Klinkel) Thomasson died Aug. 25.

She was born Dec. 2, 1924, in Peever, S.D., to Otto Klinkel and Minnie (Kortman) Klinkel. When she was a young girl they traveled west and settled in Enumclaw.

She graduated from Enumclaw High School in 1942 and attended many of the class reunions throughout the years. She met Arnold P. Thomasson through her best friend and Arnold’s sister-in-law in 1946 and they were married Jan. 31, 1947. He survives at the family home in Enumclaw.

While a young woman, she worked alongside her mother at the original Mint Café. Upon her high school graduation, she got a job at Tougaw and Olson’s where she worked in the office. After she married, she was hired at Valley Supply Co-op in Auburn. There she worked in the credit department.

Together the Thomassons started Valley Pump in Auburn and she was also responsible for setting up and keeping track of the books.

She enjoyed traveling and camping across the country. She, along with her husband, was an active member of the Holiday Ramblers Club. She was also active in the Spinning Wheel Club, Red Hat Society, the local TOPS group. She played pinochle and would play in a group once a month at different friend’s homes.

Every year, the Thomassons headed south to their winter home in Mesa, Ariz. She enjoyed entertaining friends there and participated in many activities.

She enjoyed gardening, especially growing roses and hanging fuchsias. Her family often found her in the kitchen baking and she worked diligently to crochet gifts for Christmas. The family’s favorites were her chocolate chip cookies, M & M brownies and homemade pickles.

She enjoyed spending time with friends and especially her family.

She was preceded in death by brothers Arthur and Frances Klinkel.

Besides her husband of 64 years, she is survived by sons Ron Thomasson and wife Marlene of Ocean Shores, Wash., and Tim Thomasson and wife Cathy of Enumclaw; daughter Patricia Stangland and husband Steve of Lake Tapps and Karen Olson and husband Larry of Enumclaw; 13 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, with 2 more great-grandsons on the way.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made in her name to Cascade Caregivers, 2885 Elmont Ave., Enumclaw, 98022.

A service to celebrate her life will take place at noon Friday, Sept. 2, at Wabash Presbyterian Church.