Darlene Joyce Gorman

Darlene Gorman, age 90, of Austin, Minnesota, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend and tomorrow seeker, left endings unfinished on Friday, October 31, 2025, while held within the loving arms of her family.

Darlene Joyce, was born in Austin on December 11, 1934, to Leora and Raymond Smith and big brother Allen. She became “Sis” to her family and rambunctiously lead adventures with her big brother and younger siblings, Carol, Rex and Judy. The Smiths lived a bold life, roaming from farms, with creeks and pastures, horses, chickens and dogs… and a pet cow sleeping under the bedroom window, to white tablecloths, dinner and dancing, when they transitioned to town, and revived The Chateau Night Club.

After graduating in 1952 from Austin High School, Darlene went to work for Hormel Foods as a vault secretary. With a new career and great Big Bands at the Terp Ballroom, Darlene and her girlfriends went dancing, “dressed to the nines”. One dancing double-date brought Wayne Gorman into her life and heart. Two years later, on February 15, 1958, they married at Queen of Angels Church and set off for a honeymoon in New Orleans and a lifetime of adventures together. Wayne and Dar made a happy home, hand in hand for 67 remarkable years, with 66 years on Kenwood, where they welcomed their children, Bruce, Bradly and Brigette.

Mom was a success at so many things; here are just a few. She was an artist; she was so artistic and led her life with such creative passion including as an Art Therapist at Gerard Schools. She was a teacher, leading yoga classes back in the 1970’s, always ahead of her time. She was a designer and a realtor; aka DJ, finding homes for families and flipping houses, pre-dating “Fixer Upper”. She was a foodie and a nurturer, managing The Good Earth Food Co-op, a columnist-writer of “Good Food for Thought” and the vital force behind The Brickhouse Coffee House. She enjoyed those things that take time, like letter writing, sewing, planning tea parties, planting seeds and watching them grow, and always family and friends. Most of all Mom really made everyone feel important and was truly interested in what and how they were doing. She was limitlessly amazing, inspiring and imaginative.

The most wonderful Mother to her three children and to many others beyond and including her eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Allen and her loving husband Wayne. She leaves behind: Bruce, Bradly, Brigette, Jake, Josh, Jeremy, Danny, Kyle, Joey, Grady, Gabe, Mackenzie, Alayna, Olivia, Jaxon, Griffin, Madalynn, Hayes, Barret, Suvi, August, Ruby, Miles and a blessed party of extended dear family and friends.

Thank you, Mom, for a lifetime of unconditional faith, love and support. You’ve inspired us, celebrated the best with us and pulled us through the worst. You have made our lives colorful and beautiful, and we will forever love you, miss you and hold you in our hearts!

Her favorite quote: “All that is gold does not glitter, Not all who wander are lost; (The old that is strong does not wither. Deep roots are not reached by the frost”.) –J.R.R. Tolkien

A celebration of life for both Darlene and Wayne Gorman will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 28, 2025, at Queen of Angels Church. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at church. The family will also greet friends at a reception following the service. Interment will be at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Preston at a later date. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.