Darlene Joyce Nelson was born October 22, 1938, in Beresford, SD to parents Edwin and Ruby (Peterson) Nelson and entered into the Lord's care in the presence of family on July 31, 2024, at Centerville Care and Rehab Center at the age of 85 years, nine months, one week, and two days.

Darlene was baptized at Dalesburg Lutheran Church, attended Glenwood Elementary School and graduated from Beresford High School in 1956.  Darlene married her longtime classmate and best friend Gerald Wastell on May 28, 1960, in Beresford.  To Gerald, she was "DJ".  The couple lived in Sioux Falls for several years before returning to Beresford where she and Gerald farmed and operated Wastell Trucking.  She also had a full-time job raising four boys, which usually required at least double-time to get the job done.

Darlene loved spending time with her family and friends, both near and far.  She was hospitable, kind, and often opened her home to host family celebrations and holidays.  An important tradition was hosting Christmas Eve, when she would gather loved ones and serve her famous rosettes.  Darlene was a loyal friend and a great listener.  She enjoyed crafts and one of her specialties was her annual sequined calendar with family birthdays shown with special sequins.  She also enjoyed playing the card game Pitch, Bingo, and traveling to the casino with friends. She didn't leave the grandkids out of her game playing, Yahtzee and Phase 10 were on the regular rotation. Her smile was sweet, and her giggle was infectious.  She was dearly loved by all who knew her, and she will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gerald Wastell; brother Warren Nelson; brothers-in-law Shernold Anderson, Loren Johnson, Don Gable; and niece Joelle Antonson.

Among those who survive and gratefully shared her life are four sons: Kevin of Soldotna, AK, Todd of Brownstown, MI, Terry and his wife Stacy of Beresford, SD, and Craig and his wife Kerri of Danville, KY; 13 grandchildren:  Andrew (Melissa) Wastell, Christina (Matt) Joseph,  Angela Wastell, Melissa (Dan Surette) Wastell, Nathan (Becky) Wastell, Dustin (Jenelle) Wastell, Derek (Zya) Wastell, Heather (Matt) Yoder, Brittany (Anthony) Lyle, Abigail Dobson, Brittany Ray, Christian Wastell, and Carsen Wastell; her sisters Marcella Anderson of Sioux Falls, SD and Elaine (Jim) Tatge of Sioux Falls, SD,  brother Dennis (Myrna) Nelson of Mission Viejo, CA, brother-in-law Marvin (Corinne) Wastell of Omaha, NE, and sister-in-law Wilma Johnson of Beresford; 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends, who deeply cherish the role Darlene played in their lives.