Darlene Andersen Caten passed away on December 21, 2024 in McMinnville, TN at the age of 83. She and her twin brother Darnall were born on February 23, 1941 in Mesa, Arizona. Her family meant everything to her. She was a farmer at heart and loved to be outdoors. She always seemed happy and most enjoyed working or doing competitive activities, especially when she won- which was almost always. She volunteered for the Peace Corp in El Salvador and learned Spanish in the process. While working as a teacher on the Sacaton Indian Reservation in Arizona, she met Dr. Joseph Lee Caten who was sent by the Public Health Service to treat a hepatitis outbreak. They started dating shortly thereafter and married on October 8,1966.
Darlene dedicated her time, love, and energy to her husband, children, and grandchildren. She also loved to help and serve other people. For many years, she served as a self-taught church organist for the McMinnville Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She shared her joy for life with others through teaching, and loved teaching her grandchildren how to play the piano, tennis, card games, pickleball, ping pong, and chess. Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Joseph Lee Caten, her parents Thomas Soren Andersen and Marva Vance Andersen, and siblings Myrl, Don, Baby Lou, Joe, Darnall, and Jeep.
Survivors include her 7 children and 41 grandchildren: 1. Joey and Samantha Caten (Dylan, Dusty, Anna, Jay, Violet, Asher, Emmy) 2. Brian and Rosanne Caten (Bryce, Alyson, Kara, Bradley, Mitchell, Kelsi) 3. Eric and Camille Caten (Reilly, Felicia, Claudia, Charlie) 4. Cristie and Tony Newman (Jake, Derek, Cari, Chase) 5. Steven and Holly Caten (London, Sawyer, Scarlett, Andersen, Noelle) 6. Justin and Kimberly Caten (Caleb, Grace, Joshua, Luke, Vance) 7. Jamie and Thom Lyman (Ella, Edward, Abram, Platte, Peter, Deco, Isaac, Mary, Sarah, Eliza) as well as Darlene’s sisters Vonda, Marilyn, and Tommie Sue.
The Funeral service is at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, December 30, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The family will receive friends on Monday from 11:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. at McMinnville Funeral Home. A private family interment will follow the service.
