Darlene Mae Milne Mowdy, 86, peacefully passed away on August 9, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 11, 1932 to Roslyn (Tobe) William Milne and Alice Louise Karto Milne at their homestead 14 miles outside of Richey, Montana. After obtaining a degree in both art and business from Concordia College in Minnesota, she moved to Williston, North Dakota to begin her career as an art teacher. At the age of 24, Darlene settled in Tioga, North Dakota where she spent the next 61 years raising her family. Darlene paved the way as Tioga’s first high school art teacher. As she continued her high school art career, she also went on to teach photography and business classes. Darlene was not only passionate about teaching, but also about being an active member and leader of the Tioga community and state of North Dakota. She designed the Tioga Farm Festival buttons for many years and was selected as the Grand Marshall where she got to ride with Governor Ed Schafer in the Tioga Farm Festival Parade. Darlene was a devout member of the First United Methodist Church and later the First Lutheran Church, a member of the North Dakota Historical Society, Handy Mandy Homemakers, Sons of Norway and the North Dakota Mrs. Jaycees, to name a few. Darlene was a master artist, creating many works of art using all types of mediums, such as oil, pastel, water color, acrylic, pencil, pottery, weaving, beadwork and bronze. She got much of her inspiration from Native American artwork and had a special affinity for the American Bison. Her artistic talent was recognized by the state of North Dakota and her artwork displayed in the Governor’s Mansion.

Darlene also had a love of horses and the prairie. She had the wonderful opportunity to ride in both the Wyoming and Montana Hundred Year Trail Rides. These two experience were some of the best of her life. While she eventually retired from teaching high school art, photography and business, she never stopped teaching. She went on to teach many adult art classes and became her grandchildren's private art teacher. Darlene shared her passions and wisdom with all.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, RW (Tobe) and Alice Milne; sister Diane (Milne) Baumunk and brother-in-law Ralph Baumunk; brother Delford Milne.

She is survived by her daughters Michele Lynn Mowdy and Roberta Lesli Mowdy; son Joel Carlton Mowdy and wife, Stephanie Mowdy; grandchildren, Will Cook, Frances Cook, Hannah (Whiting) Robson, Meghan (Whiting) Boone, Jesse Mowdy, Danaka Mowdy, Kalli Mowdy; sister-in-law Debbie (Arnold) Milne; niece Robyn (Milne) Wilkinson; nephew Max Milne.