Darlene Joy Brassfield, 87, New Underwood, SD, passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Society New Underwood.
Darlene Joy (Gossard) Brassfield was born on August 27, 1936, to Harold and Gladys (Hackens) Gossard. She was their second child of six. Darlene grew up in the Viewfield area, on or around Elk Creek. In 1946 her family moved to the home place on Dry Creek.
She attended grade school at Shoun School, a small one-room building with no plumbing. Families took turns bringing drinking water for the children. Shoun School was located about one mile from Darlene’s home. Most days she and her siblings would walk to school – it was uphill both ways!
Darlene’s high school days were spent at New Underwood High School in New Underwood, SD. She lived in the dorms, only able to go home on the weekends. She was a shy, timid girl and sometimes the weekends couldn’t come quick enough. When she became a junior, she was able to drive herself to school in style, in a 1940 Ford Coup.
While attending a school dance she met a young man from the Lakeside area. They visited awhile and he asked if he could drive her home. She told him he would have to ask her brother. The young man asked and, with some hesitation, her brother Dale finally said yes. That is how Don Brassfield came into the picture. From that point on it was a match made in heaven.
Darlene and Don were baptized in Christ together in May of 1953 at Canyon Lake Park. On September 1, 1953, they were married at the Church of Christ on St. Joe Street in Rapid City.
Their first home together was in Black Hawk, where they milked cows for Clifford Borden. In 1954 they moved to the Lakeside area near the Brassfield homestead and started milking cows and farming with Don’s brother Tom. This is where their oldest of five was born, Teresa Ann. Over the next decade they moved a few times, including a move to Missouri. Don and Darlene welcomed four more children during this time. Their only son Dale, and three more daughters; Dawn, Holly, and Shari. In 1965 they moved back to Dry Creek and purchased Darlene’s homeplace from her parents. They were finally able to put down their roots, milking cows, farming, and raising their five children.
Darlene then devoted her life to her husband, family, home and community. It was not uncommon for her to set a table for ten plus people most days. Darlene made her home welcoming to countless neighbors, family, and her children’s friends. Even though she cooked and cleaned all the time, she somehow managed to raise at least 100 bum lambs, bottle calves, and who knows how many chickens every year. With the money she raised from her “critters” she would do home improvement projects. She would buy updated appliances, material for curtains, a new couch, and other items to make her family more comfortable and make her home more beautiful.
Since she had so much spare time, she also became a member of the Lazy Loafers Extension Club – a group of ladies that met once a month. They would make crafts to sell at bazaars, make meals for funerals, and run the concession stand for the State High School Rodeo held at New Underwood, along with serving on the election board
Darlene took classes on cake decorating which led to her making wedding, graduation, and anniversary cakes for people over the next 30 years. Her cakes weren’t just beautiful, they also tasted amazing.
Don and Darlene sold the milk cows in 1986 and began making kitchen cabinets and other furniture. Darlene worked right alongside Don building, staining, and installing their custom creations. During this time they sold the farm and moved to the Hills. They were able to travel some in later years, spending time Arizona and Mexico, with two special trips; one to Hawaii and the other to Alaska.
For 87 years, Darlene had many triumphs but also overcame many trials. Surviving breast cancer, 2 hip replacements and one shoulder replacement to name a few; through it all, she never lost her faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was blessed beyond measure with her love for her kids, grandkids and great grandkids and taught them all the meaning of true love
Those blessed to share in her life are her husband of 70 years, Don Brassfield; her five children, Teresa (David) Peterson, Dale (Trudy) Brassfield, Dawn (Duane) Filholm, Holly (Albert) Bruch, and Shari (Monte) Sandal; Mike Barth (a very important part of our lives); 15 grandchildren, Bryan Brassfield, Tyler Seifert, Amelia Seifert (Devon Kutil), Lindsy (Gwyn) Wathen, Ashley (Andrew) McCloud, Megan (Lyle) Spring, Brandon Pearson, Rena (Gavin) Woltjer, Tony (Sonja) Bruch, Annie Bruch (Joe Beehler), Jennifer (Reggie) Rhoden, Donni (Troy) Finn, Sarah (James) Sullivan, Karah (Byron) Booth, Clayton (Cris) Ness; 30 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild; two brothers, Larry (Karen) Gossard and Gale (Jeanni) Gossard; and two sisters, Patty Prince, Amy (Gary) Cammack, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Gladys Gossard; older brother, Dale Gossard; and one nephew, Curtis Gossard.
The family wants to extend a warm and special thank you to all the staff at the Good Samaritan Society of New Underwood for all the loving care given to Darlene over the years.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 25, 11:00 a.m. at The Foundry Church, 730, Quincy St., Rapid City, SD, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at the Viewfield Cemetery.
A memorial has been established.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com<http:/
