Darlene Anne Christensen Adams entered the world on 20 February, 1956 at the LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Her parents Ivan Wayne Christensen and Alice Ann Harker would later give her two brothers and a sister. Duane (Jan), Debra and Dennis. Being a natural caretaker, mom continued throughout her life to feel a strong love for her siblings.
Darlene’s greatest joy was being a mom. She welcomed Michelle (Timothy Haycock), Jessica (Dustin Haycock), Celeste (Scott Campbell), Desirie, Daniel (Erica Russell) and Aaron (McKayla Cox). She gave us everything she had including a whole lot of time and even more love. There was never a question of her love for us. She may not have always liked us (well deserved, I’m sure) but she always loved us.
We have come to believe that if mom knew how much fun grandkids were, she would have had them first. Her first grandchild was born while her kids were still young. Her loves are: Taylor (Nathan Johnson), Tyson, Stedson (Destaney Neilson), Natalie, Logan, Caiden, Jaxon, Ayden and Cali. These little people had grandma hook, line and sinker.
Mom gave her heart to two husbands Jon (our dad) and later John Hartley (a friend she’s had until this time.)
Mom loves all things beautiful. She worked very hard and would often be found wearing blue jeans and button-down shirt, but she loved being pampered too. As young girls we remember sitting on the couch behind mom while we “fixed” her hair. This included very little brushing and a whole lot of hair bows. We thought we were making mom beautiful; she knew we were creating relationships.
Mom taught us to love and serve others. As kids we remember being sent on an errand to deliver a wagon full of food to a woman who was experiencing a difficult time. Another time Mom decided we all needed to help serve Thanksgiving dinner at the soup kitchen. This holiday could have been especially difficult for our family but mom gave us a day we each cherish. Mom also delivered homemade quilts to families she thought would be going without Christmas presents. She was very perceptive and loved to be part of the solution if she could.
Mom taught us to work hard, a lesson passed on to her from her beloved pioneer ancestry. Besides raising six children, one of her greatest joys was designing and building the home we lovingly refer to as the “blue house” Mom spent nearly every day for a year doing everything from pouring concrete to securing trusses…she was part of it all. Every piece of this project had her love tied to it. After all, this was her gift to her family.
Saying that mom LOVED to sew would be an understatement. In fact, during quarantine the fabric store was on her short list of necessary shopping. She found joy in making us matching dresses. The girls all have beautiful blessing dresses while the boys have tuxedos lovingly made by mom. We all have at least one blanket (Purposely planned out) from her. We feel this is one of the ways she could wrap us in her love.
Mom loved working in the yard. Maybe this was a little dirt therapy but she always felt closer to God while she was caring for and beautifying His world.
She also loved experiencing the beauties this world had to offer. Our family could often be found camping in Island Park or traveling across the country to feel the love from our grandma, Mabel Adams. She had a special relationship with her bonus mom.
Another treasured mother in her life was her grandmother, Ida Christensen. As mom was her oldest grandchild she would often be “rescued” by her grandmother to have quiet one on one time. While at grandma’s house playing, mom grew especially fond of her great grandmother Amanda’s doll. This doll later became moms. The memories are so cherished she requested her doll accompany her to heaven.
On the 31st of December 2020 mom went to live in heaven after a particularly difficult battle with Covid-19. We hold fast to our knowledge that families can be forever and that mom will never be very far way. We are grateful the Lord blessed us with such a beautiful woman to become our mother.
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The Brabants says
Dear Jessica and family,
We want to send you our love, hugs, and prayers at this difficult time! May the good memories bring you peace in the coming days, months, and years. Much love!
Denise Harvey says
What an amazing lady! I can only imagine how difficult this is for all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. She has left a wonderful legacy and loved so much and was loved so much. She will be a fierce guardian angel for all of you.
Raylynn Sleight says
Queen Darlene made quite the impact on me. It was so evident she was the backbone of the family and would do anything for her family. God be with all of you in the days to come. The unexpected chapter change will have it’s rough days, but God will be with you. You are her legacy. My sincerest condolences and love! -Raylynn
Garth & Carilee Sleight says
Dear Jessica, and all of Darlene’s family:
We just finished watching the video of your mother’s life. We are deeply touched by evidence of her faith and tenacity in meeting and conquering life’s challenges. You all have such a wonderful heritage in her. May God bless and keep you as you recover from the loss. You will all be together again someday. Your mother had a great faith in that reality. God bless you all.
Wanda & Ferrin Harker says
Dear Family of Darlene Adams,
From our family to yours may we express our love to you as you go through this difficult time. We know she loved all of you and you have all been a blessing to her. These last few week’s were difficult times but the good time are the memories you will have forever.
Darlene is our niece and she always sought us out at family reunions and gatherings and extended love and concern for us. We look forward to seeing you all at special events.
Ferrin and Wanda, presently quarantined
Teresia Arave says
To Celeste and family. Just watched Your mother Darlenes lifetime of love story. She was such a precious woman. I know she will continue to watch and guide from the other side .
May God bless you all. Teresia & Stephen Arave