FUNERAL SERVICES : 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN.VISITATION : One hour prior to the services at the funeral home on Saturday.INTERMENT :SURVIVORS : Her husband for the past 48 years, Ronald of Nevis; her four children: Julie (Mark) Hopkins and Tammie (Donn) Hoffman all of Park Rapids, Shawn Hopkins of Wisconsin and Kevin (Mindy) Hopkins of Nevis, MN; her eight precious grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; three sisters: her twin sister, Dot Milligan of St. Paul, Carol (Richard) Hopkins of Backus, MN and Linda (Jack) Milligan of St. Paul; 5 brothers: Duane Peterson of Florida, Dick (Shelly) Peterson of the Twin Cities, Dan (Claudia) Peterson of WI, Roy (Ilene) Peterson of the Twin Cities and Junior Peterson of Mora, MN. DARLENE M. HOPKINSNovember 10, 1945 " December 2, 2010 Darlene Mary Hopkins, age 65 of Nevis, MN, passed away unexpectedly in the early morning hours of Thursday, December 2, 2010 at St. Joseph"s Hospital in Park Rapids, MN. Darlene was born on November 10, 1945 in St. Paul, MN to Arnold and Dorothy (Pease) Peterson. It was in St. Paul that she attended public schools and grew into womanhood. As a young woman, Darlene met Ronald Dean Hopkins. The young couple fell in love and were married on March 30, 1962 in Wisconsin, by Darlene"s cousin who was a minister. This union was blessed with four children: Julie, Tammie, Shawn and Kevin. Darlene devoted herself to making a warm and loving home in the St. Paul area for her husband and children. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious deviled chicken dinners. In the mid-1970"s, the Hopkins ventured to Northern MN and settled near the Badoura Tree Nursery southeast of Park Rapids, MN. For many years Darlene worked at the Pizza Hut in Park Rapids as a chef, where she enjoyed working with her fellow employees and making many friends with her customers. Darlene had a poet"s heart and enjoyed writing all types of verse. She had studied arranging flowers and enjoyed working in her gardens with flowers. She loved music and especially enjoyed singing along with or when she was younger, dancing to Elvis Presley. She loved the out doors and when she was younger, had enjoyed spending time in the woods hunting or at the lake fishing with Ron. She was an over comer who overcame many of the serious handicaps she endured following suffering a debilitating stroke in 2004. God gave Darlene the gift of encouragement as she never forgot to brighten someone"s day with a birthday or anniversary greeting. She was a very positive person who always saw the good in everyone and in all circumstances. Above all, Darlene dedicated her life to the happiness of her husband, her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband for the past 48 years, Ronald of Nevis; her four children: Julie (Mark) Hopkins and Tammie (Donn) Hoffman all of Park Rapids, Shawn Hopkins of Wisconsin and Kevin (Mindy) Hopkins of Nevis, MN; her eight precious grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; three sisters: her twin sister, Dot Milligan of St. Paul, Carol (Richard) Hopkins of Backus, MN and Linda (Jack) Milligan of St. Paul; 5 brothers: Duane Peterson of Florida, Dick (Shelly) Peterson of the Twin Cities, Dan (Claudia) Peterson of WI, Roy (Ilene) Peterson of the Twin Cities and Junior Peterson of Mora, MN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents. Services will be held 2 PM Saturday, December 11, 2010 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home with the Reverend Ken Polley officiating. Special music will be "Amazing Grace:, "When I Get Where I"m Going" and "I Can Only Imagine". The honorary casket bearers will be: grandchildren; Cassey Sellnow, Joshua Hoffman, Vanessa Hoffman, Vincent Hoffman, Trista Honga, Jerrid Hopkins, Amber Hopkins and Heather Hopkins and great grandchildren: Jarrrett Honga, Taliea Honga, Wyatt Sellnow, Sadie Sellnow, Bradyn Hoffman, Witni Hoffman, Andrew Marjama, Kaylee Gudmundson and Aurora Hopkins. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the services.