Darlene “Dar” Faye Schmitt, age 84 of Beaver Dam, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2016 at Sylvan Crossing in Beaver Dam where she resided since June 2015.
Darlene was born on October 28, 1931 in Beaver Dam, the only child of Lester and Loretta (Achterberg) Welch. She attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade and graduated from Randolph High School in 1949. On June 17, 1950, she was united in marriage to James Schmitt at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Beaver Dam. Together they raised five children.
After her children were grown, Darlene worked as a manager at Winslow’s Hallmark. She also worked at Maxine’s and Front Street Gifts. Darlene enjoyed the time she spent volunteering at the hospital, working on the 2nd floor and in the gift shop, where she was on the Purchasing Committee, a perfect fit after all her years in retail. She was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church. Darlene’s family was everything to her. She liked to sew for them, making scarves, curtains and doing alterations. She also enjoyed cooking and baking for her family, and later in life enjoyed being rewarded by cookies and treats being brought to her.
Darlene is survived by her five children, Pamela (Leo) Baldus, Paula Milarch, Thomas (Judy) Schmitt, Patrice (Lee Heintz) Hartl and Claudia (Paul) Clark; grandchildren, Brent Baldus, Heidi Graff, Tracie Milarch, Tara Milarch, Bridgette Schmitt Mancena, Tyler Schmitt, Mitchell Hartl, Matthew Hartl, Maclain Hartl, Andrew Clark, Alex Clark; step-grandchildren, Wendy Lang, Ben Hays; 17 great-grandchildren; 4 sisters-in-law, Rita Kemnitz, Rosie (Fred) Berger, Doris Schmitt, Kathy Schmitt; brother-in-law, Clarence Kiser; other relatives and friends.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; son-in-law, Warren Milarch; close friend, Hugh Ganske and other relatives.
Vistiation for Darlene will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd., Beaver Dam with Rev. Chris Davis officiating. Burial will take place at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Beaver Dam with a luncheon to follow back at Cornerstone.
Memorials in Darlene’s name may be directed to BDACT Building Fund (www.bdact.org) or Dodge County Humane Society (www.dchs-wi.org).
Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family. You may send private online condolences or sign the family’s guest book at www.cstonefs.com
