November 29, 1953 — January 31, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Darlene Rose Case (formerly Breitkreitz) (nee Amundsen) on January 31, 2025, in Kamloops, BC.

Darlene was born on November 29, 1953, in Claresholm, Alberta, to Harold and Rosina Amundsen. As the only daughter among four brothers, she grew up in Chetwynd, BC, but spent most of her adult life in Kamloops. She shared a deep connection with her family, especially with her father, whom she adored.

Darlene is survived by her loving husband, Ron Case; her sons, Curtis Breitkreitz (Tamara) and Shane Breitkreitz (Jesslynn); and her brothers, Gary Amundsen (Theresa) of Dawson Creek, Bud Amundsen (Joy) of Penticton, and Jack Amundsen (Andrea) of Port Moody. She was also a beloved aunt to Jodi (Amundsen) Callahan, Keri (Amundsen) Giesbrecht, Rhonda (Amundsen) Farnsworth, And Devie, Caley, Christian and Grace Amundsen. She was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Rosina Amundsen, and her brother, Robert (Bob) Amundsen.

After high school, Darlene attended college at Grande Prairie College, then moved to Dawson Creek to work in an insurance office under two short lived brokerages. After the second brokerage closed, her father Harold convinced her to write for her Insurance Agent’s License and open her own office under the umbrella of H&H insurance Services. Harold believed that at the time, she was the youngest female to own her own insurance office with a full agent’s license.

In August 1973, she married Duane Breitkreitz who was a high school teacher in Dawson Creek. In 1977, Darlene sold her agency and they relocated to Kamloops for Duane’s job at Cariboo College. Darlene built a successful career as a commercial insurance agent in Kamloops, first with Sedgwick Insurance and later with Capri Insurance, where she was known for her integrity, honesty, and unwavering commitment.

Darlene and Duane had many happy years building a loving family. Darlene’s greatest pride and joy was her family. She embraced motherhood wholeheartedly, stepping away from her career for ten years to raise Curtis and Shane with love, devotion, and an endless well of warmth. In 2001, Darlene and Duane decided to walk separate paths and continued as loving parents independently.

A few years later Darlene joined Metro Homes, where she met Ron Case, the man who would become her best friend and the love of her next stage of life.Together, they built a beautiful life, living in Peachland and Penticton before settling back in Kamloops in 2007. A year later, they married in the backyard of their new home, just down the street from where Darlene had raised her boys. In 2009, Darlene transitioned into real estate before later joining Ron to run Jubilee Park Model Dealership as a husband-and-wife team.

A competitor at heart, Darlene had a special love for golf and took pride in beating Ron at it. She never believed in a slow and steady swing; for her, it was all about the big bomb, a skill that even won her a few long-drive contests. With their office closed in the winter, they embraced snowbird life, spending winters in Mexico, Yuma, or Palm Springs.

Darlene had a natural gift for making people feel welcome. To meet her was to be considered a friend, and she had an effortless way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. Whether greeting someone with a big smile or sharing a hearty laugh, she had a warmth that was impossible to resist. She was also an active member of the Rotary Club of Kamloops, always looking for ways to give back to her community.

Even as Alzheimer’s changed the way she communicated later in life, her deep emotional intelligence never wavered. She could still light up a room with her presence, and even without words, she had a way of making those around her feel understood. Her sense of humor never faded, and she still maintained the ability to keep them laughing through it all.

A celebration of Darlene’s life will be held on February 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Schoening Funeral Service (513 Seymour Street, Kamloops, BC), with a reception to follow.

• Date : 2025-01-31
• Location : Kamloops