Service Information
Darla Neubarth, age 56, of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, passed away Sunday, July 5, 2020, at her home in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota.
Funeral Service will be held Thursday, July 9, 2020, 11:00 A.M. at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, with interment at High Island Cemetery in New Auburn, Minnesota.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2020, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. at the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe, Minnesota, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.
Online Guest Book is available at www.mcbridechapel.com
Obituary
Darla Jayne Neubarth was born on December 17, 1963, at the Glencoe Hospital in McLeod County, Minnesota. She was the eldest of three children born to Earl and Joan (Mosel) Neubarth. Darla was baptized as an infant on January 5, 1964, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Auburn, Minnesota, by the Rev. Rudolph Inselmann. She was later confirmed in her faith as a youth at Immanuel on April 29, 1979.
Darla grew up on a farm outside of New Auburn, Minnesota. She received her education in the New Auburn and Glencoe schools. Darla graduated from Glencoe High School in 1982. She went on to continue her education at St. Paul Technical College in 1983, where she pursued her studies in Sign Language interpreting for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Darla graduated from the program in 1984. During her career, she was employed around central Minnesota in multiple school districts for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in grades kindergarten through high school. In December of 2001, she received her national certification from the National Association of the Deaf.
Darla lived in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, and held several part time jobs along with her full time interpreting position over the years. She worked as a factory worker for Crystal Foods, a housekeeper for Social Services, and a Residential Counselor for Developmentally Disabled adults in a group home setting. Her most current position was with the Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart Schools. In June 2014, Darla was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. She was able to continue her work at the school until August 2019 when complications from her cancer became more serious. Darla continued to reside in her home in Buffalo Lake until the time of her death.
Darla was a member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Auburn, Minnesota. She served as a Sunday school teacher and member of the Ladies Serving Groups. She transferred to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, in 2009. Darla was involved on the Call Committee and Stewardship Committee. She also belonged to several professional affiliations related to her interpreting profession. Among these organizations was the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, National Association of Interpreters for the Deaf and the Minnesota Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
Darla enjoyed participating in many sports during her active years as a young adult. She was a member of several adult women’s and co-ed power volleyball teams. Darla participated in leagues and traveled around Minnesota playing in numerous tournaments. She was also on several softball teams also traveling and participating in leagues and tournaments. Another of Darla’s hobbies included baking. She enjoyed baking bars and different varieties of cookies especially during the Christmas holidays. Other interests included taking pictures, scrapbooking, going to craft fairs, watching movies and reading. Darla cherished time spent with family and friends.
Darla passed away at her home in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, on Sunday, July 5, 2020, after a courageous battle with Ovarian Cancer at the age of 56 years, 6 months and 18 days.
Blessed be her memory.
Darla is survived by her;
Mother, Joan Neubarth of Gaylord, MN;
Siblings, Bradley Neubarth of Elk River, MN,
Jolene Mielke of Brownton, MN;
Niece, Erika Mielke of Brownton, MN;
Other relatives and many friends.
Darla was preceded in death by her Father, Earl Neubarth; Brother-In-Law, Bruce Mielke; Grandparents, Edwin and Selma Neubarth, Alfred and Floretta Mosel; Uncle, Virgil Neubarth.
Jo Reck says
To Darla’s Family~
I am so sorry for your great loss. Darla was such a special gift to all who knew her. Before she got sick, she always had a sunny smile and that little bit of mischief that made her always ready to do something fun! Even after she got sick, that smile stayed with her. I will remember her fondly, and I wish for you…peace, comfort, and beautiful memories of a life too special to ever forget~
Her friend, Jo Reck
Don & Luba Schulz says
Erika & Jolene
Our deepest sympathy with the loss of Darla.
Neal Polzin says
My condolences to the family and her friends. Thinking of you and glad you are at peace with God! You surely will be missed.
Nancy Clark says
I am very saddened to hear this. I knew Darla back in the ITP at St. Paul College. My sympathies to her family.
Bob and Chris Hoffman says
I met Darla at the fall pre school workshops for interpreters at MAAD!
We had so much fun !
I wish you all our prayers!
Chris Hoffman
Retired Interpreter
Nicole Iriarte says
I’m so sorry to hear the loss of Darla. She was such a great person. Rest In Peace Darla!
Jeff & Anne Heerdt says
So sorry to hear about Darla passing away. She was great with the students at BLHS Schools. Our thoughts and prayers to the family.
Traci Schrupp says
I am so sorry to hear about Darla. We played ball together for many years. Road the athletic bus on the New Auburn route. I wish you all peace, strength and comfort.
Brion & Renee Polzin says
To the Neubarth family, God took another good one. We are so sorry for your loss. Darla was one of the nicest people a person could ask for. I met her in Coborns a few months ago and we stood and talked about her and everything she was going through and before I knew it, 45 minutes had gone by. She was such a positive and strong person. I feel blessed to have known her. Now all of her pain is gone and she is at peace. Our thoughts & prayers are with your family. God bless you all.
Jill Rohman, friend and tdhh says
To Darla’s family. I worked closely with Darla at BLHS for 5 years. We shared the DHH room and worked with the same students. I was blessed to drive her to a few early chemo treatments and spend time with her there. I’m sure we solved the world’s problems during that time. There is not enough space here to write about all the wonderful things that are Darla.
Baking and her candy jar – I couldn’t ever NOT have a treat. It drew in the whole school staff too!
Volunteering – she was always willing to step in and support all students and teachers with studying, modifying assignments, and working with small groups.
Creativity – Darla made our room cozy and welcoming with plants, furniture, curtains, and rugs, unusually with her own money. She made charts and visuals for students and created a space for them in our room.
Involvement – she was active in all aspects of the buffalo lake community, school sports, and her church – coaching, committees, parties, celebrations, reffing, ticket sales, and fund raisers.
Humor and conversation – her laugh was the best. I can still hear it. It would sometimes end with an mischievous chuckle depending on the occasion. She engaged everyone with her easy conversation and jokes and teasing. Between the two of us, an hour of talking could go by in a blink – again, solving all problems.
Passion, love, and genuine care – she loved her interpreting career, advocating for dhh students and adults, the BLHS school, staff, and students, her church, and her family. She was so good at calling and sending cards and gifts to keep in touch. She gave hugs freely (or a gentle nudge or swat). Erika – she shared about you all the time. She was so proud of you. She loved you like crazy. I feel like I know you, your mom, grandma, and uncle Brad just from all the stories and sharing she did.
My heart breaks for you all, Darla’s family. She was such a strong force in our universe. She is already so so missed.
I pray that you find comfort and peace in memories and in knowing that she is resting, cancer free now.
Much love to you all.
Rev. D. Dirkx says
My deepest condolences with love and prayers to the Neubarth Family. Darla, thank you for serving Deaf community of Minnesota as an ASL interpreter. God bless you with His Love and mine.
Karissa Kurth says
We are so deeply sad for your loss. Darla was one of kind and will be missed by many. We got to know Darla through Buffalo Lake Volleyball league and from there a friendship was made. Her laugh and love for life is something we will always remember plus the numerous memories of when all of us friends would get together. It was never a dull moment. We wish you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Tony & Karissa Kurth
Debra Lerdal says
I’m so sorry to hear of Darla’s death. I worked with Darla early in her career and then again later. She was everything a person hoped for in a colleague and friend – deeply caring about people, generous, hard-working and extremely dedicated to her students, colleagues, and friends. She endured and overcame so many challenges. She deserved a longer life but loving memories of her will endure. My sympathy and love to her family.
Irene Anderson and Charlene Hanson says
Joan, Brad, Jolene, and Erika
Wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time. Your family is in our thoughts, and in our hearts.
The joy Darla brought to so many people will not be forgotten. Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss.
Ms. Lisa Rund says
To Darla’s Family,
My deepest sympathies in hearing the sad news of Darla passing.
I really enjoyed her chats we would have when she came in at Rund Chiropractic Center P.A. in Glencoe.
She made me smile and laugh too.
Her Christmas Cookies were a delight!
May you find comfort knowing she is home with the Lord.
Faith Ann Tice says
Darla was my roommate at the MHealth University Medical Center in November 19, 2019. We shared an Ovarian Cancer diagnosis (teal sisters) and both had been through lots of treatments for chronic disease … so we had lots to talk about. She was good company, we had much in common, we became fast friends, and we chatted into the evenings … way more than hospital roommates should!
She talked about how thankful she was for the love and assistance she had from her family during her illness … especially from her brother, Brad and her Mom.
We exchanged phone numbers and texted occasionally since then. Hadn’t heard from her since Jun 13th … and just today read of her passing. My sympathies to all her friends and family. May she rest in God’s own peace now.
Leah Spring says
Many years ago, Darla and I worked together, team interpreting theater performances with Buffalo Creek Players, along with some high school productions for NYA schools, and Hutchinson schools. Darla and I had a great time “working” together. (We had so much fun, how could it be called work?) I later moved to the cities. In Feb 2014 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Not too long after I looked up Darla on social media and discovered she had Ovarian cancer. I was heart broken she was going through much of the same things I was. In June 2020 I moved back to the area and tried a couple of times to look her up, and just now tried again tonight. I’m saddened to know she is gone from this world, but I am happy she is finally pain free. Please accept my prayers and sympathies.