Obituary; Darlene Peggy Rummel

Remembering Darlene...On March 17th, 2015, “Mom”, Darlene Peggy Rummel, went home to be with the Lord while surrounded by her loving family.  Mom passed away due to complications from heart disease and pneumonia.

Mom was born March 7th, 1933 to Michael and Daisy Vulles, on the family ranch, just east of Perma, Montana.  Due to post depression era economics, Mom, along with her older sister Dorothy and younger brother George, was raised in the state children’s orphanage in Twin Bridges, Montana.

When she was 13, she was sent to Hot Springs, Montana, where she lived with the Carl and Clara Johnson family while she attended school.  She then moved to Plains and attended school there while she lived with Helena Smith at the Smith Nursing Home.

In June of 1952, Mom enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  She attended boot camp in Bainbridge, Maryland and trained as a hospital corpsman in Great Lakes, Illinois. She was later stationed in Camp Pendleton and Long Beach, California, and Bremerton, Washington. In June of 1956, she was honorably discharged as a Hospital Corpsman Third Class.  Mom was especially proud of her service in the Navy.

She then moved to Missoula, where she worked as a nurse for Dr. Blegen.  While in Missoula, Mom met the love of her life, Glen Rummel, who was attending college at the University of Montana in pursuit of his teaching degree. They were married June 17th, 1961 in Plains.

They were then off to Eureka, Montana, where Dad taught junior high and coached junior high basketball.  While in Eureka they started their family, with the birth of son Tom.  After a year in Eureka, they moved to Saltese, Montana where Dad taught his second year of school.  They then moved to Plains and added son Patrick to the family in 1964.

Mom was very proud of the home she and Dad built in Plains. She was a meticulous housewife: everything had its place and everything was kept in its place. She was the family and neighborhood barber and medic.  You weren’t allowed out of the barber chair until your hair and neckline were just right; no matter how hot the clippers got. She lovingly doctored all of the bruises, cuts, and scrapes which two active boys and one husband came home with.  She often referred to them as her three boys, as they caused her no small amount of worry & frets; this in turn added to her beautiful crown of white hair.

She was an excellent cook, baker, and seamstress, and was always on the lookout for a good deal, whether at the grocery store or a rummage sale.

Mom loved to read poetry, especially if she could read it to you.  She loved the game of Scrabble, and was not shy about challenging you, if she thought your word was spelled wrong.  While Mom and Dad were having their challenge matches, (and they had many,) Mom would look at Dad and say. “I’m gonna whip your butt,” with that determined grin.

Mom also worked part time as a secretary at the Soil Conservation Office in Plains. Mom loved her family and friends and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  

Mom was preceded in death by her mother and father, seven brothers, and a granddaughter. She is survived by her husband Glen and son Tom {Shelly} of Plains. Son Patrick {Denise} of Evaro, and five grandchildren; sister Dorothy Walbridge of Kellogg, Idaho, and numerous nieces and nephews.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to their local hospice or Plains Library.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 28 at 11:00 am., at the Plains Bible Chapel.