Darlene Josephine Brueggeman (Walker), 75, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. She was born June 2, 1949, to Max and Madeline Walker in Hillsboro, Wis. She grew up in Ontario, Wis. She went to school until eighth grade, and then stayed home to help her dad farm. Later she worked at Northern Engraving in Sparta.
On Sept. 13, 1980, she married Martin Brueggeman, and to this union, one daughter was born. Darlene wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, so she opened her in-home daycare business. She did in home daycare until 2000, when she resigned to take care of her husband; he preceded her in death May 14, 2000. In 2005, she found love for the second time with David Meyer.
Darlene enjoyed getting together with friends for coffee, family reunions, bowling, and playing cards, and when was still able to, she enjoyed dancing. Darlene was diagnosed with dementia in 2019.
She is survived by her life partner, David Meyer of Stratford, Wis.; her daughter, Elizabeth (Scott) Ertl of Marshfield, Wis.; her granddaughters, Hollie (Austin) Jensen of Marshfield Amy Krumenauer of Jim Falls, Wis.; her great-granddaughter, Harper; her great-grandson, Waylon; her siblings, Dorothy Berg and Harold Walker; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin Brueggeman; her sister, Joyce Witt; her brothers- and sisters-in-law, Orbin Berg, Allen Witt, Carmen Walker, George and Mary Brueggeman, Alfred and Lucille Brueggeman, Mike and Martha Frederick, and Edward and Hilda Leis.
Funeral services for Darlene will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Sparta. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Sparta. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 12 p.m. (noon) until the time of the service at the funeral home on Monday. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Sparta is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family would like to thank Meg and Pam from Inclusa of Marshfield and Heartland Hospice, especially Miranda, Becky, Julie, and Brian, for their wonderful care and support over the last few years and months, along with the staff at Serenity Living in Marshfield.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
