Obituary of Darlene Estelle Eaton

Darlene (Dar, Beep) Estelle Eaton was born on November 8,1950 in Sioux Rapids Iowa.  She passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024 at United Hospital at the age of 74. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Norma (Nixon) and Louis ‘Auggie’ Eaton; brothers, Dennis ‘Denny’ Eaton and Darwin Eaton; and sister-in-law Roby (Rutschke/Hoffmann) Holder. 

She is survived by wife, Susan Rutschke, sister, Diane (Dave) Althaus, goddaughter Suzie (Bill) Haight, in-laws, Diane (Bruce) Rutschke, Mike (Jennifer) Rutschke, Debby Eaton and Karen Eaton; 6 nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews as well as great-great nieces and nephews.

Dar graduated from Sioux Rapids High School in 1968 where her love of basketball started when she played there.  She came to Minnesota right after graduation to attend Humboldt Institute for schooling related to the airline industry.

Dar did not like to change jobs much, she worked at Honeywell until she was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes at age 19.  She took a break from working and took on babysitting (now they call them nannies) for the twins Heidi and Molly before she got a job with Miller-Davis Legal Forms (1975-1995).  Once she left Miller-Davis she helped launch ARS Computer Inc.  When ARS closed its doors in 2006, she started at Mesaba Airlines which then became Pinnacle and now it is known as Endeavor Air.  She was the Uniform Coordinator which meant she helped fit all the new hire Flight Attendants and Pilots with their uniforms and loved doing this!  She finally did a short stint with M&H Uniforms (which was just across the hallway from her Endeavor office – same Delta Building).  She decided to retire in 2018 after being laid off from M&H Uniforms.

Dar got reacquainted with Susan in 1998 and they have been together ever since.  They were fortunate to get married in 2014.  Dar and Susan traveled to many wonderful places with family and friends - a lot courtesy of her flight benefits because she worked for a Delta subsidiary!  The one thing that remained consistent for Dar was her love of women’s basketball.  It did not matter if it was high school, college or professional WNBA – if she knew of a game somewhere she was either trying to go to it or watch it on TV.  She was the first thing the news cameras saw when the Minnesota Lynx came home with their first road championship in 2011.

Dar was so easy going and ready to follow anyone anywhere to get out of the house for a laugh or just have coffee.  She had a great smile and personality and will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Celebration of Life - Saturday, March 8, 2025

10 a.m. visitation and 11 a.m program

Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435

There will be another Celebration of Life held in Sioux Rapids Iowa at a later date with her ultimate resting place being in Sioux Rapids Lone Tree Cemetary.