Betty Jane Darst

DARST Betty Jane Darst, 93, a Rochester motel owner, died Sunday, February 28, 2016 of natural causes at Valley View Nursing Home in Houston, MN where she had resided for the last 5 years. Betty J. Woolley was born July 5, 1922 in Dresbach, MN to Robert and Georgina (Dickson) Woolley. After graduating high school, she moved to Rochester and met her future husband, Claude G. Darst. They were married on May 18, 1942, in St. Charles, MN. They lived in Rochester and owned and operated the Hi Way Cafe for 8 years and built and operated the West Side Motel. They then built the Darst Heart-O-Town Motel, Cafe and Tap Room and operated it until 1973. She then worked at Prows Motel for a short time until beginning her second career at the Kahler Hotel as a banquet server until she retired at the age of 83. Betty was a member of Christ United Methodist Church and enjoyed her volunteer work there. She loved people and loved to work. However, she did take time to become an avid fisherwoman, attending the state fishing opener for more than 50 years, and she could catch and clean fish with the best of them. The couple had a camper at Money Creek for many years and so enjoyed their weekends with family and camper friends. She loved watching all sports with her favorites being football and golf. The couple were season ticket holders for the Vikings since their inception, where they hosted many tailgating parties. She also was an avid bowler, as was her oldest son, John, and she won a state bowling tournament for the mother/son division. Cooking and entertaining were some of her favorite things to do and the parties at the Darst's were enjoyed by many. The couple also traveled extensively and made many friends along the way. Betty had resided at the Valley View Nursing Home in Houston, MN for 5 years, and she enjoyed her time there where she kept busy attending almost 70 activities a month. Her favorite things to do were playing bingo, all the weekly music acts who came to entertain them, going to the Music in the Park concerts in Houston, attending the current event sessions, and pursuing her love for reading. She was known to have read at least a book a week. In 2013, she was named Resident of the Year by the staff at the nursing home, and in 2014, she was named the Valentine Princess. The family wants to thank all the staff at Valley View for the excellent care they provided her and for making the time she spent with them another special time in her life. Survivors include a stepson, Gary Gist of Woodland Hills, CA; three sons, John D. (Peggy) of Bloomington, MN, Dennis R. (Marty) of Winona, and Dick A. (Laurie) of Byron; a daughter, Claudia L. (Paul) Grassle of Rochester; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, David B. Darst; parents; 3 brothers, and 3 sisters. A funeral service will be held Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester. Visitation will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2016 and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens. The family prefers memorials to Christ United Methodist Church or Valley View Nursing Home in Houston, MN. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com