Darlene Marie Lockwood
July 26th, 1936 - August 29th, 2023
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Darlene's Obituary
Darlene Marie Lockwood, 87, of Galien, Michigan peacefully entered into Heaven on Tuesday evening, August 29, 2023 at Buchanan Meadows with her family at her side.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan. Burial will follow at Galien Cemetery. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, also at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Darlene’s name may be made to the Galien Township Library or the Berrien County Youth Fair. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.swemchapel.com.
Darlene lived a beautiful small-town life. She was born on July 26, 1936, to Paul and Mary (Dinges) Trapp at her grandparents' farmhouse in New Troy, Michigan. She grew up picking berries on her parents' fruit farm and learning the rewards of hard work. She then graduated from New Troy High School in 1954. During that time, Dean Lockwood, of Galien, set his eyes on Darlene: the cutest, littlest -- yet loudest -- cheerleader at New Troy High School basketball games. On April 14, 1956, she married Dean at a ceremony in St. John's Church in Three Oaks, Michigan, followed by a standing room only reception.
In 1957, Dean and Darlene were blessed with a baby girl, Denise, who would later bless them with four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Darlene was a doting mother and grandmother, with a cookie jar always full of snickerdoodles. You were also lucky to have a taste of her famous rice pudding delivered to your home.
Darlene enjoyed many an evening at The D.A.N.K. and other local dance halls, dancing the polka and German waltz. She and Dean also enjoyed square dancing with their friends in Three Oaks.
Professionally, Darlene served for 30 years at Galien Township Schools as secretary to the superintendent. She was very dedicated to the school system and her community, volunteering in various roles over the years. Darlene was also a longtime member of St. Peter's Evangelical Church in Galien where she served as the Sunday School Superintendent for many years, and especially enjoyed teaching Sunday School songs to the children and organizing the children's Christmas program. Darlene truly had a servant's heart and served tirelessly for her church in many capacities.
Darlene also loved quilting and was a member of the Galien Village Quilt Club. She enjoyed making quilts for her family, often taking quilting projects with her to the Upper Peninsula, as she and Dean enjoyed vacationing there. Dean and Darlene would later purchase a lake home in Gulliver, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula to share special memories with their family.
Most of all, she cherished every moment spent with her family and used her God-given gift of generosity at every opportunity. She was always present and always cheering for her family, never missing her grandchildren's ball games, school events, or horse shows.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the kind and caring staff at Buchanan Meadows and to the Caring Circle Hospice nurses for their great compassion.
Darlene is survived by her husband of 67 years, Dean Lockwood; daughter, Denise (Al) Westendorp; grandchildren, Kurt (Brittany) Westendorp; Emily (Jason) Krassow; Mark Westendorp; and Genny (Michael) Savaglio; great-grandchildren, Carter, Austin, Brady, Kameron, Kacey, Grace and Stella; brother, Allen (Sharon) Trapp; sister, Jane (Randy) Sandtveit, and sister-in-law, Marjorie Trapp. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Mary Trapp, and brother, Vernon Trapp.
Darlene will be dearly missed, but we are comforted knowing she is rejoicing with Jesus in Heaven.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan. Burial will follow at Galien Cemetery. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, also at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Darlene’s name may be made to the Galien Township Library or the Berrien County Youth Fair. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.swemchapel.com.
Darlene lived a beautiful small-town life. She was born on July 26, 1936, to Paul and Mary (Dinges) Trapp at her grandparents' farmhouse in New Troy, Michigan. She grew up picking berries on her parents' fruit farm and learning the rewards of hard work. She then graduated from New Troy High School in 1954. During that time, Dean Lockwood, of Galien, set his eyes on Darlene: the cutest, littlest -- yet loudest -- cheerleader at New Troy High School basketball games. On April 14, 1956, she married Dean at a ceremony in St. John's Church in Three Oaks, Michigan, followed by a standing room only reception.
In 1957, Dean and Darlene were blessed with a baby girl, Denise, who would later bless them with four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Darlene was a doting mother and grandmother, with a cookie jar always full of snickerdoodles. You were also lucky to have a taste of her famous rice pudding delivered to your home.
Darlene enjoyed many an evening at The D.A.N.K. and other local dance halls, dancing the polka and German waltz. She and Dean also enjoyed square dancing with their friends in Three Oaks.
Professionally, Darlene served for 30 years at Galien Township Schools as secretary to the superintendent. She was very dedicated to the school system and her community, volunteering in various roles over the years. Darlene was also a longtime member of St. Peter's Evangelical Church in Galien where she served as the Sunday School Superintendent for many years, and especially enjoyed teaching Sunday School songs to the children and organizing the children's Christmas program. Darlene truly had a servant's heart and served tirelessly for her church in many capacities.
Darlene also loved quilting and was a member of the Galien Village Quilt Club. She enjoyed making quilts for her family, often taking quilting projects with her to the Upper Peninsula, as she and Dean enjoyed vacationing there. Dean and Darlene would later purchase a lake home in Gulliver, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula to share special memories with their family.
Most of all, she cherished every moment spent with her family and used her God-given gift of generosity at every opportunity. She was always present and always cheering for her family, never missing her grandchildren's ball games, school events, or horse shows.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the kind and caring staff at Buchanan Meadows and to the Caring Circle Hospice nurses for their great compassion.
Darlene is survived by her husband of 67 years, Dean Lockwood; daughter, Denise (Al) Westendorp; grandchildren, Kurt (Brittany) Westendorp; Emily (Jason) Krassow; Mark Westendorp; and Genny (Michael) Savaglio; great-grandchildren, Carter, Austin, Brady, Kameron, Kacey, Grace and Stella; brother, Allen (Sharon) Trapp; sister, Jane (Randy) Sandtveit, and sister-in-law, Marjorie Trapp. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Mary Trapp, and brother, Vernon Trapp.
Darlene will be dearly missed, but we are comforted knowing she is rejoicing with Jesus in Heaven.
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