Darlene May Caldwell

1947 – 2023

Darlene Caldwell passed away on March 20, 2023 at Salem, Oregon. She was born at Astoria, Oregon to the late Fred and Myrtle (Williamson) Kizer on August 12, 1947. Her mother passed away shortly after her birth, and she spent much of her youth with family in central and eastern Oregon. She was a respiratory therapist at the Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles for many years. Darlene and Kenneth “Pete” Caldwell were married on March 17, 1975 at Goldendale, Washington, and they made their home in Dufur, Oregon until 2011, when they moved to McMinnville. Pete preceded her in death in 2012.

Darlene loved to cook! She was in her element cooking for friends and family, and her feasts for the crew at elk camp, including such things as whole turkeys and prime rib roasts with all the fixings, were legendary. She was also skilled at jewelry making, knitting, and crocheting, and she very much enjoyed creating and sharing beautiful pieces with her family and friends.

Darlene is survived by sons Michael (Cathy) Bisset – Yamhill, OR and Patrick (Jeanie) Bisset - Bend, OR

; adopted daughter Kayci (Reed) (Caldwell) Droskin – Grand Junction, CO; stepsons Jeff (Annie) Caldwell - Newport News, VA and Walter Caldwell – Salem, OR; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, whom she loved with all of her heart. Also grieving is Gayle Buck, who Darlene loved like a daughter.

Arrangements are being handled by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Services, Salem, OR. Private interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery.