Darleen Pacovsky, 1937-2019

Published 1:00 am Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Darleen M. Pacovsky, 81, of Austin passed away Sunday, July 7, 2019, at her home surrounded by family.

Darleen Pacovsky

Darleen Mavis Morken was born Aug. 9, 1937, in Spring Grove to Arnold and Helen (Stensgard) Morken. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. Darleen attended school in Spring Grove and graduated in 1955. She then went on to attend Luther College and completed her elementary education degree, graduating in 1960.

She taught school in Owatonna for two years. Darleen then came to Austin and taught elementary education in Austin Public Schools for several years.

On June 21, 1964, she married John Pacovsky at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. Together they raised three children, Sara, Amy and Michael.

After starting a family, Darleen left teaching to become a full-time mother and homemaker. After the children were in school, she began working in the schools as a paraprofessional. She was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin, where she was involved in Sunday school and vacation Bible school. Darleen enjoyed playing cards and belonged to a bridge group for many years. She loved sports and was an avid fan of the Minnesota Gophers and Twins. The time she enjoyed most was with her family and grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, John Pacovsky, of Austin; children Sara Schammel of Austin, Amy (Ryan) DeGrote of Inver Grove Heights and Michael (Jennifer) Pacovsky of Lakeville; nine grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Abby, Joey, Grace, Adam, Ella, Sam, Nolan and Andrew; and two brothers, Sanford and Roger.

She was preceded in death by her parents Arnold and Helen Morken; infant brother, Arden; one niece and a nephew; and one sister-in-law.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin with the Rev. Joy Bussert officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and also for one hour prior to the service at the church Saturday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. Memorials can be directed to the American Cancer Society or Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Austin. Services are prearranged and performed with Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.