Darlene “Andy” Quenette

On Monday, January 3, 2022, Darlene “Andy” Quenette, loving Wife, Mother, Nana, Sister and Aunt, passed away at the age of 85.  As her children gather together, we are heartened to know that she was met by Dad on Heaven’s 18^th Green.

Mom was born on May 11, 1936, to Gordon and Christine (Ostrem) Anderson, in Harvey, ND.  She spent the first seven years of her life surrounded by the Anderson and Ostrem clans.  At the age of seven, she moved to Harvey, ND where she cemented her place as one of the “Alley Rats,” participated in as many music related activities as possible and created some of her fondest memories.  The highlight for Mom was playing the part of Cinderella in the elementary school musical.  She graduated from Harvey High School in 1954.

Mom enrolled at Concordia College in the Fall of 1954 and focused her studies in Music Education while also participating as a member of the Concordia Concert Choir.  The first day back of her sophomore year she met the love of her life, a three-sport athlete named Bill Quenette from West Fargo, ND.  On Christmas Day of 1955 he proposed, and Mom and Dad were married in August of 1956.

Mom always enjoyed her unofficial role as Dad’s Assistant Coach, and was his biggest cheerleader, traveling to games to watch him coach.  Her favorite role was being our Mom.  She was our biggest advocate, the heart of our family.  She kept us on our toes with the best April Fool’s Day shenanigans, coordinated our Shanghai rummy games, gave out the best hugs and loved us more than jellybeans.

Mom is preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Christine, our Dad Bill, her brother Bob, and Brothers-in-law, Jon and Glen.  She is survived by her children, David, Suzanne (Sam), Stephen (Angela), and Mark (Jennifer), grandchildren, Dakota, Matthew, Madison, Grace and Carson; brother Rod and sister Sandy (Billy); brother-in-law Curt (Jeanne), three nephews, many cousins and godchildren, and her KAJI Girls, Karen, Joyce and Ione.

As her children, we were blessed to hear her sing and often heard her talk of how important music was to her.  We ask that in lieu of gifts, please consider honoring her memory with donations to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd’s project to restore the church organ pipes.

Soli Deo Gloria

A memorial gathering will be Wednesday, January 12, 2022, from 6-8 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:30 P.M., at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead.  The memorial service will be Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 1:00 P.M., at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.  Burial will be at Prairie Home Cemetery in the spring.