Darleen Ames, age 96, of Huron, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at the Huron Regional Medical Center, with her daughter, Jill, by her side.

Her memorial service was held at 10:30 AM, Friday, February 26th at the Kuhler Funeral Home,  and can be watched here  .

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Beadle County Humane Society, 5063 Dakota Ave S, Huron, SD 57350 in honor of Darleen's love of all creatures, great and small.

Darleen June Stam was born April 25, 1924, along with her twin sister, Shirleen May, to parents, Hiram Austin and Mary Irene (Cox) Stam, at Huron. She graduated from Huron High School in 1942, and began working at the Armour Packing Plant. Shortly after she started, Darleen met the love of her life, John Manley Ames.

On February 22, 1946, Darleen and John got married and they began their life together in Huron, raising their four children.

Darleen was very active with the First Presbyterian Church, serving as both a Deacon and as an Elder. She was also very active in various women's church circles. Until recent years, Darleen was very involved helping with fundraisers for the Beadle County Humane Society. She loved animals of all kinds and taught her children the joy of all creatures. After John retired from Armour's, she helped him on the farm, doing whatever she could, even if that meant just being there to make sure her husband was "OK". She also loved to try new recipes to feed to her family, and any stranger that happened to stop by. She enjoyed crocheting, making many afghans for friends and family. Her family meant everything to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hiram Austin and Mary Irene Stam; husband, John; daughter, Elizabeth Darleen Richeson; son-in-law, Robert "Bob" Warren Richeson; son, Thomas Manley Ames; oldest sister, Juanita Lueth; her twin sister, Shirleen King; and many other relatives.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her daughter, Jill Marie (Kevin) Minske of Huron; son, Martin John Ames of Huron; daughter-in-law, Debra Ames of Huron; sister, Roseann Crenshaw of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; granddaughters, Marissa Taylor Ames Minske of Huron and Ashley Elizabeth Richeson of Raton, New Mexico; and two great-grandchildren, Dylan Avery Davis and Carter Robert Davis, also of Raton.

 View Darleen's Floral Arrangements