Patricia Darlene (Riehl) Kassen

Patricia “Darlene” Kassen, age 87, passed away on Friday, December 11th, 2020. She was born on March 31, 1933 in Paton, Iowa, as the fifth of ten children to John and Clara Riehl. On April 15, 1961, she married the love of her life, William “Bill” Nelson Kassen.

Upon the birth of her first child, Darlene left her career as a nurse to begin her new journey as an amazing Mother. She was fiercely loyal to her five kids and her husband, selflessly devoting her life to all of their needs. She often juggled five different soccer games, in five different places almost every Saturday afternoon while her children were growing up. Whether on the sidelines of a soccer game or poolside at a swim meet, she was there and was the biggest cheerleader!

Darlene was an extremely talented and creative person. All of her life, any extra time she had was spent using her hands to create numerous beautiful things. She was an amazing quilter, and an extremely talented painter. She was famously known around the Sparkman neighborhood for her beautiful hand painted wooden pieces; especially the incredible life size nativity scene placed in the yard every Christmas. She was very generous with the talents the Lord gave her, and loved to share with everyone. Her favorite way to share God’s love was by making quilts for babies in need or seniors in nursing homes. She also loved to spend her time and talent helping the North Dallas Shared Ministries. She was always thinking of others and looking for ways that she could support their needs.

Darlene was a social creature and stayed active until the end. She loved life; especially playing Bunco with her monthly group, watching her grandkids play sports and theatre/choir performances, taking trips to the casinos with Bill and her latest love, a nightly glass of Prosecco – a toast to the beautiful life she made!

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Bill Kassen; their 5 children, Julie Kassen (Darrell Zimmerman), Steve (Kate) Kassen, Joe (Karen) Kassen, Jan Kassen, David (Susan) Kassen; 7 grandchildren, Will Kassen, Katharyn Kassen, Jameson Kassen, Hays Kassen, Wynn Kassen, Cole Kassen, Kyle Kassen; her brothers, Bob (Nancy) Riehl and Dick (Kay) Riehl; her sisters-in-laws, Charlotte Lock, Darleen Kassen, and Georgie Riehl; her many nieces and nephews, and her French cousins, all who she loved and cared for deeply.

Darlene’s life will be celebrated with a funeral Mass at 10:30 am Monday, December 21 at St. Monica Catholic Church, Dallas, TX. For those who are unable to attend, you may join both events via livestream.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to North Dallas Shared Ministries (https://www.ndsm.org/how-you-can-help/donate/) or St Vincent de Paul (https://svdpdallas.org/donate/), both organizations Darlene loved dearly.

Please scroll down for service times and live stream links.