Darleen L Jahraus

Darleen Loetta Jahraus went to her forever home with the Lord on December 4, 2015. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at 2:00 PM in the chapel at the Baptist Health Care Center, 3400 Nebraska Dr., Bismarck. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the Baptist Health Care Center. Darleen was born on January 17, 1935, to Rev. and Mrs. Edward and Ludwicka Fenske, at their home in Herreid, South Dakota. Typical of a “preacher’s kid,” she lived, and was schooled in numerous locations throughout childhood, including Herreid, Carbon, Alberta, and Vancouver, British Columbia, before her parents returned to Herreid. Darleen attended Sioux Falls College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, prior to returning to Herreid to work. On her return, she met Cecil D. Jahraus, a young war veteran and newspaper publisher. The two were married on April 17, 1954, and made their initial home in Herreid. Darleen and Cecil were partners not only in marriage and parenting, but also in the operation of numerous newspapers, where Darleen often handled the accounting matters. The two were married fifty years, before Cecil’s passing in 2004. Darleen most loved spending time with her grandchildren, numbering 15 total, as well as two great grandchildren. She was masterful at baking, and few that knew her would ever forget the pastries she made. Above all, Darleen loved the Lord. She made clear that she was ready for her home-going, and wanted all to know of the confidence she had of her salvation through Jesus Christ. She is survived by the remainder of her children and children-in-law, Joel (Miami, Florida), Timothy and Robin (Hilo, Hawaii), Mark and Lori (Hazen, North Dakota), Debra and Sid Bender (Seattle, Washington), and Chris and Jennifer (Chelsea, Alabama), along with their children and grandchildren. In addition to Cecil, her husband, Darleen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Evangeline, her brother Gordon, and her daughter-in-law, Cynthia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Baptist Health Care Center, 3400 Nebraska Dr, Bismarck, ND, 58503.