Darlene L. Peden

Darlene Lynn Peden was born at Alpena Regional Medical Center in Alpena Michigan to Erwin Frank Lijewski and Josephine Clara Kruezynski at 10:52 pm on Sunday the 11th day of March, 1962.  Darlene and her family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 1971.  Darlene graduated from Phoenix Christian High School, Class of 1980. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education on May 6, 1985 from Southwestern Baptist Bible College in Phoenix, Arizona. Darlene had a remarkable passion for teaching, stating that ever since she was a little girl she wanted to become a teacher to help others. She taught in the Globe School District from 1987-2014 as a 4th grade teacher, excluding the 2 years she taught as an 8th grade social studies teacher while pregnant with her second son, Samson.  Darlene was known for her kind heart and sense of humor.  If you knew Darlene, you knew her laugh was loud and contagious and you knew her love. She was an avid Barbie Doll collector and at every chance would make sure her nieces and granddaughter were in well supply of any Barbie dolls, clothes, and accessories.  Darlene had a deep personal relationship with God and was happy to share his love wherever she went.   Surviving members include her Husband Mark Peden of Globe, her sons Jared Peden of Queen Creek, Samson Peden of Queen Creek, her daughter Jeseeka Branck of California, her sisters Linda Lijewski of Alpena, Michigan, Jane Landers of Decater, Texas, her brothers Allen Lijewski of Alpena, Michigan, Mark Lijewski of Alpena, Michigan and one grandchild. Services to be held Friday June 28, 2019 at 12:00pm @ River of Life Church in Central Heights.