Darlene Elizabeth Shoults

Darlene Elizabeth (Baker) Shoults May 27, 1942- January 15, 2022 Darlene Elizabeth Shoults was born in Portland to George and Bertha (Iverson) Baker. The Baker family moved to Bend when Darlene was young. Darlene grew up on the Baker Ranch, which is currently Deschutes River Woods. Darlene attended Allen Elementary, Cascade Junior High, Bend Senior High, and some community college. She then found a work home within the personnel department at the US Forest Service. Throughout her life, Darlene enjoyed riding horses, ice skating, bowling, ceramics, playing the clarinet in the high school band, music, reading, fishing, camping, card games, watching sports, and mostly spending time with family. Darlene bravely battled Multiple Sclerosis for over 50 years of her life, and despite the obvious physical decline, to see her and know her, one would never know she was struggling. She set the family bar for faith, patience, kindness, love, and optimism. She was an inspiration to all who knew or met her. The most important role of her life was being a wife and mother. Despite her early diagnosis of MS, as a young mother, she continued to put her family first. She regularly attended church, volunteered for Good News Club and the PTA, drove carpool, and attended every athletic event that her daughters participated in. She was preceded in death by her mother and father and her sister Sharon L. Bevans. She is survived by her brother Galen (Kris) Baker. Stan and Darlene met on a high school coastal retreat. They were married on September 19, 1964, in Bend. They moved to Southern Oregon briefly while Stan attended Southern Oregon College. While there, Darlene continued working for the US Forest Service. In 1966, their first daughter Kerri was born in Medford. Once Stan graduated in 1966, they moved their small family back to Bend to be closer to family and the Central Oregon outdoors that they loved and knew so well. In 1970, their youngest daughter Lisa was born on "hospital hill" in Bend. As Empty Nesters, they continued to travel to visit family. They amazingly made it to the births of all five of their grandchildren, from Oregon to Wisconsin and back again. They took great joy in their grandchildren, especially watching all of them play basketball. They didn't miss a game, whether in person or streamed on tv. They were so proud of all of them. Stan was a husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, uncle, teacher, coach, outdoorsman, and friend. He was kind, devoted, and loyal to all, but especially to the love of his life for 57 1/2 years, Darlene. They reside in eternity together forever. They will be greatly missed. Stan and Darlene are survived by their daughters, Kerri Januik (Frank) of Gearhart and Lisa West (Shawn) of Bend, and grandchildren Reese Fritter (Shane), Jackson Januik, Taylor West, Chase Januik, Whitney West, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of both their lives will be held on Wednesday, May 25 at 3 pm at Aspen Hall in Shevlin Park, 18920 NW Shevlin Park Rd, Bend, Oregon 97703 Memorial contributions can be made to the National MS Society or Partners In Care Home Health and Hospice. Arrangements are being made by Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home, 105 NW Irving Avenue, Bend, Oregon 97701. 541-382-2471

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Darlene Elizabeth Shoults

May 27, 1942 - January 15, 2022