Darlene Fay (Kalor) Fotia - Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel

April 20, 1936 - March 17, 2023


Darlene Fay (Kalor) Fotia, 86, of Richfield, MN, passed away on March 17, 2023, peacefully in her sleep from cardiac arrest while in the hospital for treatment for an infection.

Darlene was born on April 20, 1936, to Henry and Helen (Behrman) Kalor in St. Paul, Minnesota. After graduating from Central High School in 1954, she worked in a bank until she married and started a family.

Later on, Darlene held administrative positions for an insurance company and then for various departments in the Hennepin County Government. Her love of antiques led to her starting a business selling Victorian and Early American antiques in local antique malls. She continued this well past retirement.

Darlene led a full life including world travel to five of the seven continents. She appreciated beauty and history and was a collector of fine artifacts for her home. She loved visiting art and history museums across the globe. She was quick witted with a great sense of humor. She was a devoted spouse, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and church member. She adored her cats and gave them a royal life. She had a zest for life, adventure, and fun, which was contagious. Her faith was very important to her and now she is in God’s presence reunited with her loved ones in heaven.

Darlene was predeceased by her parents; sister, Deloris (Kalor) Bakken; ex-husband, Gerald Carpenter; her beloved and devoted spouse, Anthony Fotia; and her beloved and devoted partner, John Goeres.

She is survived and loved by brothers, Merlin and Laverne Kalor; daughter, Lynn (Carpenter) Schelitzche (David); grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Brett Schelitzche (Rebecca Case), Landon, Lincoln; Reed Schelitzche (Megan Hanzel); son, Tony Carpenter (Kim); grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jamie Giles (Matt), Gianna Giles, Cameron Giles; Jared Carpenter (Katie Tucker), Arlie; Jacob (Jake) Carpenter; stepdaughter, Penny Wall; grandchildren, Kimberly Pierce, Stacey Schultz; stepdaughter, Vicki Schreiner; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Tonella Espeseth (Chad), Corbin Gradine, Elijah Espeseth; Angela Fernandez (Jose), Mattea Fernandez, Camilla Fernandez; Monica Napolitan (Cory), Caleb Napolitan, Luca Napolitan; stepson, Andreas Goeres; stepson, Paul Goeres (Jeanine); grandchildren, Ashley, Eva, Olivia; and many nieces and nephews.

Darlene will be wonderfully remembered at her church of worship, Diamond Lake Lutheran Church, 5760 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417, on Tuesday, March 28th. Visitation is at 10:00 a.m., service is at 11:00 a.m., a hot catered lunch follows at the church, concluding with a committal prayer service at Fort Snelling.



9 Comments

  1. Paul Goeres says:

    Darlene was a loving and caring person that kept my dad alive for many years and I am grateful for that. I thought of another adjective that describes Darlene, assertive. I can recall on more than one occasion Darlene would say to me, “so what are you going to do about it.” She could say that to me because she surely was a woman of action.

  2. Paul Goeres says:

    I empathize with the many family members, relatives and friends of Darlene. I pray for God’s peace for each one of you in our loss of Darlene in our lives .

  3. Shari Bangsund, sister to Jeanine Goeres says:

    Darlene was a loved part of our family for many years and an absolute delight to know. She will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to all.

  4. Dennis Bakken Sr says:

    Darling will be missed and are prayers are with her family

  5. Dennis Bakken Sr says:

    Darlene

    • Dennis Bakken Sr says:

      Darlene will be missed and are prayers are with her family and friends we love you aunt Darlene

  6. Diane Johnson (Bakken) says:

    Sure wish I got to know you Aunt Darlene, well I’m reading your obituary looks like I was a lot like you I love antique I love art just so much when I was reading that that you are so much like I am God bless you and hope to see you on the other side. I love you

  7. Jeanine Goeres says:

    Darlene was the best Step Mother and Grandmother that anyone could want. We love you and miss you forever!

  8. Ashley Goeres says:

    Grandma Darlene was very kind. She gave me the best compliments on my artwork. Once, she said my work reminded her of Vincent Van Gouh’s. That was the best compliment I ever received, from her, the antiques collector. She was so very adventurous, and she and my grandpa, John Goeres were soulmates. I wish that she will see him again.

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