Darlene Nordberg

Darlene (Kidd) Nordberg passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at the age of 84.

She was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, in 1938 to Bernice and Edgar Kidd. The daughter of a farm family in Utica, Michigan, Darlene was adept at many homemaking skills, from making the most of a chicken to canning vegetables and jam, and knew what and when to plant. After graduating from Cheboygan High School in 1956 as the vice president of her class, she completed a bachelor of science degree at Central Michigan University. Darlene taught kindergarten in Utica until her marriage to fellow high school classmate Gary Nordberg in 1962. Together, Darlene and Gary raised two children, Laura and Erik, and took great pride in their accomplishments as well as those of her two grandsons, Nathan and Nicholas.

Possessed with an extraordinary range of talents, Darlene was equally comfortable cooking a rustic dinner over an open campfire as she was hosting an elaborate dinner party for Gary’s General Motors work colleagues. She was fearless about trying new recipes and loved nothing more than setting a beautiful table and presenting a delicious meal to her family and guests. She was a master of many artistic talents, from macramé to drawing, salt dough ornaments to pinecone wreaths. When Gary’s work assignment led them overseas to Northern Ireland, Darlene served as president of the Ulster American Women’s Club and made many friends by teaching Irish women about American holidays, foods, and crafts.

Returning to Cheboygan in retirement, Darlene actively volunteered at the local hospital and at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Cheboygan where she and Gary were members. She provided support to St. Paul’s in numerous significant ways; an active member of the United Methodist Women, she often contributed centerpieces for the annual Harvest dinner, created jam baskets for the Christmas sale, and provided salads and desserts for innumerable funeral luncheons.

Darlene passed from this earth in her favorite place, her home on Mullett Lake, with her loving husband, Gary, by her side. Her legacy includes binders of family recipes and the knowledge she passed on to her children and grandchildren about the many birds, animals and trees she loved and enjoyed every day. She was a lifelong learner and enjoyed teaching and sharing her bits of knowledge to those around her.

She will be missed by her husband of 60 years, Gary; children, Laura and Erik (Jane); grandchildren, Nathan and Nick, brother David (Ada) Kidd, sister-in-law Janellen (Tony) Kucharek, and numerous extended family members and friends.  Dar was predeceased by her parents, Bernice and Edgar and her twin sister, Charlene (Kidd) McNally.

A private interment and a public memorial service will be held at a later date. Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on her guestbook below.