Darlene Riggin Stratton, passed away peacefully on Aug 4, 2022 with her children by her side. Darlene was raised and schooled in Glentana, Montana. She was one of six children born to Mark and Eleanor Hill. At age ten her family moved to Glasgow for children to attend high school, but continued the farm life in the summers. Darlene attended Glasgow High School graduating at Glasgow High in 1957. She opted for no college at that time and started working at the south side school as a secretary. In 1959 she met the love her life Guy “Bud” Riggin. They had a yearlong court ship and married in October 1960. They then moved to Nashua and began their life together. She and Bud had four children and in mom’s words had “the best life ever”. She often told us this was the best time of her life. In 1975 a tragic accident took the life of Bud, leaving her alone to raise her four children. And that she did. After grieving hard and overcoming the loss of her husband, she relied on her strength and faith and dug deep to give her children a life of love and good memories. Mom worked hard and after a few years at the Valley County welfare office, she went to work for a Wills Office World in Wolf Point. She was a successful salesperson and eventually was promoted to Store Manager. From there she chose to go in to the insurance world and started selling insurance for Prairie States, where she rose to the top of her field.
In 1988 she reunited with an old friend from high school. Together they enjoyed companionship and love. She and Clarence Stratton were united in Marriage in 1989. They enjoyed many years of travel, dancing and companionship. Mom gained two step-children, Danny and Sherry Stratton, and two step-grandchildren, Chad and Curtis Stratton, through this marriage. Clarence passed away in 2001.
Mom lived in Nashua all of her adult life, living and enjoying her home, yard and garden. She was a self-taught seamstress, sewing most of our childhood clothing and after retiring became a talented quilter. She opted for easier lifestyle in 2016 when she moved back to Glasgow and to Prairie Ridge Senior living. We will be forever grateful to her friends and the staff at Prairie Ridge for their care, love and friendship over the last 6 years. It truly became her home away from home. During the last year at Prairie Ridge, she enjoyed a special relationship with Gilbert DeSonia. He was a true blessing during her last chapter of life.
Mom’s strength is apparent when you know her life. From being raised during the depression, losing two husbands she loved dearly, raising four children on her own and winning two battles with cancer. She felt it was a little unfair when she was diagnosed with a third type of cancer, one her body could not fight.
Darlene is preceded in death by her mom and dad, her five siblings: Donna, Bob, Jim, Bonnie and Carol, her husbands, Bud and Clarence, and many of her lifelong friends. She is survived by her four children Darla Smith (Kim), Nancy Yager (Dennis), Marc Riggin (Felicity) and Jodi Martin (Cameron). Darlene was blessed with 10 grandchildren and to date 13 great-grandchildren. She also leaves several nieces and nephews and her family at Prairie Ridge, including her good friend and companion, Gilbert DeSonia. She leaves a legacy of hard work, strength, perseverance and faith that will forever be threaded through our family.
Darlene’s family asks all who want to share their love and stories of Darlene to join us for a few laughs and celebration of her life at the Elks Club on Thursday, August 11, 2022 starting at 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held for Darlene at St. Raphael’s Church in Glasgow on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. and burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send a donation in Darlene’s name to the Nashua Senior Center,
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
6:00 p.m.
Thursday August 11, 2022
Glasogw Elks Lodge
309 Second Avenue South
Glasogw, Montana 59230
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Friday August 12, 2022
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
412 Third Avenue North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Burial
11:15 a.m.
Friday August 12, 2022
Highland Cemetery
Highland Drive
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Reception
12:00 p.m.
Friday August 12, 2022
St. Raphael's Parish Center
412 3rd Ave North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
6:00 p.m.
Thursday August 11, 2022
Glasogw Elks Lodge
309 Second Avenue South
Glasogw, Montana 59230
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Friday August 12, 2022
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
412 Third Avenue North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Burial
11:15 a.m.
Friday August 12, 2022
Highland Cemetery
Highland Drive
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Reception
12:00 p.m.
Friday August 12, 2022
St. Raphael's Parish Center
412 3rd Ave North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
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Diana Pliley says
What an amazing woman your mom was. When I first moved back to Glasgow I saw her Fasionette, the words she said to me started to heal a very broken heart. I think of those words, hold my head up and know I am ok. She was a wonderful woman an will always hold a special place in my heart. I am so sorry for your loss.
Paula Smith says
You will be missed my dear aunt. I have wonderful memories of you when we would come visit in the summers growing up and how you helped us all when we lost our mother (her sister Donna). Rest in Peace my lovely dear aunt.
Cam Martin says
Darlene, I was so fortunate to have you as my mother in law. I was always so impressed on the cards you were dealt & how you responded to them all. The proven fact is on how all of your children turned out to be awesome adults , hard workers & honest . They are just like you , would do anything in the world for anybody. You were so proud of them all. I will always cherish the visits I had with you. I’am so lucky to be involved with this family. Thanks again Cam Martin.
Teresa Breipohl says
So sorry for your loss!! Darlene was a gem! First met her when she sold me life insurance. I was then fortunate enough to work with her at the Fashionette. She taught me how to make those beautiful bows…I still make them. I so enjoyed working with her. She was so proud of her family and shared many stories She was a woman of great faith even in the tough times she endured. Rest In Peace sweet lady.
Jean Archdale says
Jody, I am so very sorry for your moms passing, I did not know your mom but she certainly raised an amazing young woman in you. We will keep your family in our daily thoughts and prayers, just give yourself plenty of time to work through your grief
Sue Potter FitzGerald says
Darlene’s family,
I have fond childhood memories of running wild in Nashua, often in and out of the Riggin house with cousin Becky Ozark. I always felt welcome there and enjoyed Darlene’s warm smile and bright eyes as an adult. Rest in peace, Darlene.
Lisa Garsjo Thievin says
Dear Darla, Nancy, Marc, and Jodi
Your mother was one of my most favorite “Nashua Ladies”
Though I didn’t know her well as a child, I was always greeted as if we were long-lost friends as adults.
I remember the day our mother Agnes received the news of “our bus driver’s tragedy” and how we could not stop thinking of your Mom and you kids. But as you beautifully wrote in her obituary, Darlene carried on and gave you all a good life. You may not know how fond we were of both of your parents, and that your family has been in many of our prayers throughout the years.
Darlene…you were a beautiful woman and now a beautiful Angel.
God Bless you All
Lisa Garsjo Thievin
Roger and Laura Wagner says
Darlene was a great example of a woman with a quiet faith, common sense, and strength. I am sorry that we were out of town at the time of her death. Roger and I share a deep sympathy for all of your family. She was an amazing woman. She kept going through it all. Prayers for all of you.