Darlene Dora Barsi was born on November 14, 1942 in Yorkton, SK. She was the oldest daughter of Ewald and Hannah (nee Arndt) Besler. She passed away peacefully on August 27, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer. Darlene was raised on a farm near Springside with her brother, Lawrence and sister, Sharon. Her first job was at the Yorkton Auxiliary General Hospital. Darlene soon met her first husband Wilfred Effa with whom she had five children: Heidi, Betty, Mervin, Wanda and Walter. After fifteen years, Darlene and Wilfred parted ways. She then met and married Edwin Daum who also had five children: Valerie, Brent, Betty, Lorraine and Joanne. The family then continued to expand with the arrival of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Edwin passed away in 2006. Darlene then met and married Bill Barsi with whom she spent her remaining years. Darlene was an ambitious, independent and hard working individual. She loved her job at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home in housekeeping, where she worked until her retirement. Once retired, she decided to work at Wendy's Restaurant to keep busy and stay connected with her friends. She was employed there until her failing health prevented her from continuing in her position. Darlene had a great passion for music and spent many hours playing her keyboard or piano at home, church or the nursing home. She also loved to knit and crochet. Her love of people drew her to socializing whenever she could, or volunteering in the church or community. Darlene also had a great faith in God. She participated in providing music through singing or playing the piano, serving on the church board, and tending towards the general upkeep of the church. Her deep faith provided her with the strength and courage to face her biggest obstacle in life, cancer. Darlene was predeceased by her parents Ewald and Hannah Besler, her brother Lawrence Besler, her husband Edwin Daum, her stepdaughter Lorraine Daum and two grandchildren in infancy, Angel and Christine. She leaves to celebrate her memory and life, her husband, Bill Barsi; her children, Heidi (Trent) McCallum, Betty (Bruce) Schroeder, Mervin (Silvia) Effa, Wanda (Brian) Stojke and Walter (Laurie) Effa; her stepchildren, Valerie Daum, Brent Daum, Betty (Clarke) Daum-Turuk and Joanne Daum; her sister, Sharon (Roopchand) Dyal; her sister-in-law, Velma Besler; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services were held on Tuesday September 2, 2014 at the First Baptist Church with Reverend Steve Rosluk officiating. The pianist, Karen DeLong was accompanied by Rachel Dancsok in leading the congregation in the singing of a couple of Darlene's favourite hymns, "In The Garden" and "Just As I Am". Special musical selections of "How Great Thou Art" and "I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You" were beautifully rendered by Rachel Dancsok. A heartfelt eulogy was given by Darlene's daughter, Heidi McCallum. The interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Mitchell McCallum, Jordan Schroeder, Jon Schroeder, Lukas Effa, Braiden Effa, Riley Effa, and Matthew Gedcke serving as the pallbearers. A time of fellowship and refreshments followed in the lower hall of First Baptist Church. Those so wishing to make a charitable contribution in memory of the Late Darlene Barsi may do so with a gift to the Allan Blair Cancer Centre 4101 Dewdney Avenue Regina, SK S4T 7T1 or to the Sunrise Health Region Palliative Care Program 270 Bradbrooke Dr. Yorkton, SK S3N 2K6. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Kopan's Funeral Service, Highway #9 North, Yorkton, Saskatchewan. 306-783-0099 .
