Darleen Ardelle (Heitzman) Hicks went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 5, 2026. She was born on September 23, 1928, on a farm near Alexandria, SD to Margaret (Eiseman) and Albert Heitzman. She grew up on the farm and attended schools in Beulah township, Hanson County, Parkston High School and Bridgewater High School. After graduation, she moved to Sioux Falls, SD to attend Sioux Falls College graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Laboratory Medical Technology.

Darleen met Alan John Hicks while attending Sioux Falls College. They graduated with the same degrees and were married on August 26, 1950. In 1953, they relocated to the Black Hills, both being employed at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Deadwood. She worked in the lab at St Joseph’s until 1982 when she decided to leave and work at the Rapid City Regional Hospital. She worked in the lab there for 10 years and then decided it was time to retire.

Darleen and Alan raised two children, Carol (Hicks) Reausaw and Steven Hicks. She took part in many organizations including Beta Sigma Phi, Jayceettes, Business and Professional Women, Zonta Club, Deadwood Historic Preservation, VFW Auxilliary, Deadwood Chamber of Commerce “Bag Ladies”, and Dakota Territory Federal Credit Union Supervisory Committee. She was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of the Northern Hills in Deadwood, SD. Her faith was very important to her and sustained her through many difficult times. She was a Breast Cancer Survivor for many years. Her hobbies included learning Morse Code and held a Ham amateur radio operator’s license. She also attended water aerobics at the local recreation center. She was an inspiration to the other swimmers as she continued well into her 90’s before finally calling it quits! A special 95th birthday celebration was had when the sitting mayor of Deadwood declared September 23, 2023, as “Darleen Hicks Day”! She loved trying different recipes in her kitchen and attending family gatherings whether at her home or traveling to one of her children’s homes. She especially loved her five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Darleen’s surviving family include her daughter, Carol Jean (Hicks) Reausaw and husband, Ralph Reausaw; son, Steven Alan Hicks and wife, Jennifer (Robinson); grandson’s, Jess Randall Reausaw and wife Sylvia (Redestke); Phillip John Reausaw and wife Kimberly (Reifscheneider); Ryan Alan Reausaw; granddaughter’s, HeatherAnn (Hicks) Layman and husband Benjamin Layman; Amanda Jean (Hicks) Atkinson and husband Clinton Atkinson; great-grandchildren Finn Michael Reausaw; Evan John Reausaw; Clark Alan Layman; Alice Victoria Marcelline Layman and Eleanor Darleen Atkinson.

Preceeding Darleen in death were her husband, Alan John Hicks; infant daughter, Margaret Ann Hicks; parents, Margaret (Eiseman) Heitzman and Albert Heitzman; and brother, Melvern Heitzman.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00AM Friday, January 16, 2026, at the First Baptist Church of the Northern Black Hills in Deadwood, SD. Private family burial will take place after the service later in the day.

In a lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to First Baptist Church of the Northern Black Hills, Deadwood, SD.

Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com