Darlene Alice Haut

Darlene Alice Haut, affectionately known as Dar, passed away on September 15, 2026, in Aurora, Colorado. She was born on August 9, 1949, in Waukegan, Illinois, and carried through her life a warmth rooted in simple pleasures, deep family feeling, and the comforts of home.

Darlene was a graduate of Downers Grove North High School in Illinois, where she earned her high school diploma. She went on to work as a waitress, a role that reflected a life spent connecting with others in everyday, meaningful ways. She was someone whose joys were vivid and unmistakable: she loved cats and parakeets, delighted in the color purple, and could happily spend an entire day watching HGTV. Thanksgiving held a special place in her heart, not only for the holiday itself but for the gathering of family around it, a reflection of how much togetherness meant to her.

At the center of Darlene’s life were the people she loved. She is survived by her son, Robert Haut, and her daughter, Jennifer Gridley. Their place in her life formed an enduring part of her story, and her memory lives on in the family she cherished.

She is survived by her Children Robert Haut (Mario Salinas), Jennifer Gridley (Paul Gridley), and one grandson Declan Moga. She is also survived by her sister Jan Stensrud (Roger Stensrud) as well as cherished friends Luis Vazquez, and Becky Pond-Hoadley.  

She was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd Northcraft; her mother, Ruth Ainsworth; her brother, Donn Northcraft; and her aunt, Dorothy Doss. She was also preceded in death by friends Bobby Verhey and her ex husband, James Haut, with whom she shared a lasting friendship even after their marriage had ended. Those relationships remained part of the fabric of her life and are remembered with her now. She is joining her beloved pets Boris (cat) and Steve (parakeet) as well as many others. 

Darlene will be remembered for the unmistakable things she loved, the traditions she held dear, and the quiet, familiar joys that made a life feel full. In the memories of family, in the thought of a purple accent, a beloved pet, or a Thanksgiving table filled with loved ones, her spirit will continue to be felt with tenderness and affection.