Darlene “Dar” (Hess) Jones, age 92, of St. Joseph, formerly of Sauk Rapids, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family Sept. 26, 2026.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at Sacred Heart Chapel St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph. Visitation at 9 a.m. prior to Mass at the chapel. Interment will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Assembly Area 6 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Dar lived a life rooted in faith, family, friendship and service. Her Catholic faith was the foundation of her life that guided her in word and deed. She generously gave her time and talents to others, volunteering with hospice in St. Cloud and in Venice, Florida. She was an active member of Sacred Heart in Sauk Rapids for years. She also found joy in her participation in various Bible studies.
Those who knew Dar will remember her for many things, but especially for the way she made people feel. She had a wonderful “tell it like it is” attitude, one who was never afraid to speak her mind. She was loyal, energetic, gracious and incredibly hospitable. If someone needed help, Dar was there. If someone needed a friend, Dar was there. Her door was always open, and there was always room at her table.
Dar’s friendships were especially meaningful to her. She was blessed with many wonderful friends throughout her life, and she was delighted that her children and their spouses became some of her closest friends. Family was at the heart of who she was, and she cherished the time spent together, the conversations, the laughter and all the ordinary moments that became treasured memories.
Dar grew up in South St. Paul, where she met and married Walter “Wally” Jones. They shared 42 wonderful years of marriage until Wally’s early death in 1995. After his death, Dar made a new home for herself in Venice, Florida, where she spent many happy years. There she was fortunate to meet Tom Powers. They married and shared 11 years of marriage until his death in 2015.
Born May 14, 1934, in St. Paul, Dar was the daughter of LaVonne (Smith) Hess and Arthur Hess. Her 92 years were filled with people she loved and people who loved her in return.
Dar is survived by her four children, Brian (Jackie) Jones, Bonnie Hall (Bill Haws), Brenda “Cookie” (Denny) Schleper and Bridget (Michael) Nelson; 10 grandchildren, Dena (Dusty) VanHofwegen, Domenic (Haley) Jones, David (D’vorah) Hall, Angela (Ryan) Schultz, L. Josephine (Will) Wittrock, Samuel (Sophie) Hall, Vinnie (Christy) Schleper, Cara (Kyle) Titus, August (Sarah) Nelson and George (Elisa) Nelson; and 24 great-grandchildren, who lovingly called her “GGJ”.
Dar was not simply a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was an indominable presence in their lives- a source of love, wisdom, laughter, honesty and encouragement. Being called “GGJ” was a special part of her family identity. It was a title of affection uttered by Dar and her 24 great-grandchildren, a gift that will continue through generations.
Dar was preceded in death by her husband, Walter F. Jones; infant son, David Scott Jones; husband, Tom Powers; son-in-law, Loran T. Hall; and siblings, Darla Lewendowski, Bruce Hess, and Linda Polifka.
Her family and friends will miss her deeply, but a lifetime of memories will keep her close. Stories about her straightforward advice, her generosity, her laughter and her unwavering love for her family will indeed live on in the people whose lives she touched.
Special thanks to Dr. Gati Dhroove, Dr. John Mahowald, Dr. Robert Imel and Stephanie Gretsch, R.N.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to CentraCare Hospice of St. Benedict’s Monastery.
Obituary, guest book and video tribute available online at www.williamsdingmann.com.
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