Darlene was born December 2, 1940 at Big Stone City, South Dakota, to George and Ethel (Bingaman) Runge. She and her parents lived in this area for a few years. She was in Rapid City hospital for several days in September, then passed away October 5, 2025, at Avantara North Nursing Home.

On March 28, 1946, she and her parents moved to Western, South Dakota, to Darlene’s grandparents’ (Henry and Lillie Bingaman). They lived North West of Prairie City, South Dakota. Darlene was in a very bad horse accident in July of 1946, which left her with very critical broken neck. She was hospitalized for many weeks. Thanks be to God, she recovered. In the Fall of 1949, Darlene and her parents purchased their own home where they lived for many years. Darlene’s dad did some farming and they raised pigs, cattle and sheep. This fueled her love for the outdoors, which included camping, fishing, and gardening. She loved to can her harvests from her garden. Darlene also enjoyed crafting. She made a lot of beaded jewelry and participated in a few craft shows.

Darlene graduated from Hettinger High School in 1961. Following this, she returned home to help her parents. Darlene taught Sunday School and Bible School and was very active in the Ladie’s Aide Bible Study at their home church.

Darlene’s dad passed away on October 24, 1976. Later Darlene and her mom moved to Hettinger, North Dakota. Darlene babysat for a while then later went on to work at Hillcrest Care Center for many years.

On December 6, 1986, Darlene married Larry Kvanvig of Hettinger, North Dakota, at the Hettinger Assembly of God Church. Larry and Darlene went into traveling part time doing Country Gospel Music. Larry’s mom, Doris Schramen, played the keyboard and Art and Eva Nyberg helped do this ministry they all called the Kvanvig Country Gospel Team. They traveled into North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Canada! Larry and Darlene wrote several songs, which they used while traveling.

While living in South Heart, North Dakota and Dickinson, North Dakota, Darlene was employed for several years at Dan’s Super Market as a cashier. It was while they were living in Dickinson, North Dakota, that Larry and Darlene Ordained with Victory New Testament Fellowship International out of Dallas, Texas. They filled in at different churches, that either didn’t have a pastor or they were absent.

Darlene’s mom passed away June 24, 1991. On November 20, 2007, Larry and Derlene moved to Rapid City, South Dakota to be closer to our sons: Kirby, Lance and his daughter Elizabeth. Darlene felt this was very rewarding and had many blessings and fun times.

Larry and Darlene did Volunteer Clergy Work at Hospice of the Hills and Rapid City Regional Hospital for two years. They went back to doing music again in 2009 part time. They were asked to do music on the sidewalk at Hill City, South Dakota, which they did on several Sunday afternoons for two summers.

Larry and Darlene made a CD titled: “Country Gospel Music On The Sidewalk” in 2010 of some of the songs they had written. In 2011 and 2012 they played at Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Centers and some small churches. They later made a CD titled; “14 Hymns Of The Church”

A special thanks goes to Harvest Time Free Will Baptist Church and Reverend Rod Griffin.