Darlene Lien

Darlene Lien, age 82, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 4th, at her home, of natural causes. Due to the pandemic, the funeral service in the church will be held for only immediate family members. However, there will be a public walk-through visitation held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Erskine. The number of people allowed into the funeral home at one time may be restricted and masks wearing is strongly recommended (please bring your own mask if you have one). Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, rural Erskine. The funeral service will be recorded and available to view on Thursday on the Carlin website. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Erskine and messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.carlinfuneral.com. Darlene Beatrice Wagner Lien was born on November 14, 1937 in Winsor Township, Clearwater County, Minnesota to parents Earl and Beatrice (Torgerson) Wagner. She grew up in the Berner area, attended the Berner School through the eighth grade and then Gonvick High School.She met the love of her life, James Lien, during high school, and they married on March 27, 1954 at the Wagner farm. After their marriage, they lived in Gonvick and Silver Bay, Minnesota before returning to Gonvick in 1959. They moved to Erskine in 1961 when Jim took a job with Steenerson Lumber Company in which they later owned and operated together. In addition to raising her growing family, Darlene worked at the Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine. In 1985, she attended Northland Technical College and studied to be a beautician. After her graduation, she worked in shops around the area. She opened her own shop, "Darlene's Beauty Shop", at her home in Erskine, which she was still currently operating.Darlene was a faithful and active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine. She was on the Ladies' Aid, Birthday Club, Women's Study Club and had been a Deacon. Darlene was a very good cook and baker. She loved to laugh and joke with family and friends. Her greatest joy in her life came with spending time with her family. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Jim, of Erskine; four children, Becki (Russ) Haugen of Erskine, Stuart (Kathryn) Lien of Bagley, MN, Steve (Jenny) Lien of Greencastle, IN, and Jeffrey (Mary) Lien of Akeley, MN; 16 grandchildren, Shannon (Jason) Svalen, Jenny (fiancé, Matt Rybakowski),Kelsey (Justin) Knott, Ashley (Jonathan) Gehrke, Jordan (Forrest) Anderson, Isaac (Candace) Lien, Lauren Lien (Tory Syverson), Faith Lien (Justin Juve), Hannah (Mark) Sylstad, Zachary (Hope) Lien, Matthew (Kayley) Lien, Christa (Luke) Bailey, Julia Lien, Savahanna (Pat) Wagner, Chris (Meaghan) Lien, and Nathaniel (Kristen) Lien.24 great grandchildren, Chase, Sydney, and Cameron Svalen; Rylee, Presley, and Jayden Haugen; Lillie, Emersen, and Bridger Knott; Josiah, Elijah, and Micah Gehrke; Vivian Anderson, and Maci Syverson; Estelle and Theodore Lien, Emelia and Olivia Lien, Jonah Bailey, Isak Sylstad, Fitzpatrick and Fiona Wagner and Emma and Audrey Lien.Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Phyllis Wagner of Fosston, Signe Wagner of Berner, and Lavone Rossell of Gonvick.She was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws Julian and Myrtle Lien, two brothers, Duane and Art; three sisters, Joyce, Doris, and Arlyss; and brothers-in-law, Orville Torgerson and Bill Rossell.