As a worker in implant manufacturing and the recipient of three pacemakers, Darlene Uecker knew that implants could improve health and save lives. This knowledge led to her decision to become an organ donor. A mother of eight with a passion for quilting, she did her best to make sure everyone got at least one quilt to treasure. A believer in guardian angels, Darlene became a donor after she died of a cerebral aneurysm. "I think Darlene's decision was her way of keeping guardian angels around us," said her husband Don. "Darlene gave the greatest gift of all: a piece of herself to live on in others."

Darlene's Story

For 24 years, Darlene Uecker worked on the manufacturing of implants in Medtronic's health division. The recipient of three pacemakers, Darlene learned how these devices worked and knew that implantable devices could improve health and save lives. This knowledge led to her decision to become an organ donor.

Darlene was a loving, caring person; she was always there to lend a helping hand or share a tasty dish. She drew friends to her like bees to honey. Along with her down-to-earth humor and common sense, Darlene had the greatest laugh, which was described as an infectious giggle. She looked for the good in people and goodness blossomed in her, which was natural since Darlene could grow flowers out of rocks.

After Darlene's retirement, she discovered another talent and love: quilting. She and her friends talked about the endless possibilities of fabric and loved to show-and-tell. Darlene and her husband had eight children, 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and she did her best to make sure everyone got at least one quilt to treasure. Her quilts were made with an eye to detail, color and an enormous amount of love.

A believer in guardian angels, Darlene had angels in every room of two houses and in both cars. Her daughters know she is now their guardian angel: they were all together when they got the call that their mother died, and one daughter had potentially life-saving surgery after learning that her mom died of a cerebral aneurysm.

"We had heard so many good things about organ donation from friends that we decided to become donors ourselves," said her husband Don. "I think Darlene's decision was her way of keeping guardian angels around us. Darlene gave the greatest gift of all: a piece of herself to live on in others."