Darlene A. Bunkelman, 88, of Marshfield passed away the evening of Sunday, June 14th at Stoney River Memory Care.

A Private Funeral Service will be held. Darlene will be interred in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery next to her husband.

Darlene was born on December 29, 1937 in Medford to Jacob and Minnie (Neumann) Knippel. She was raised in Medford and attended public schools there, graduating in 1955 from Medford High School. Darlene was united in marriage to Duane "Duke" Bunkelman July 20, 1957 At Immanuel Lutheran Church in Medford. He sadly passed in 2009. Following their marriage, Darlene & Duke made their home in Marshfield. She had worked for Weyerhauser until her retirement.

An outdoor woman, Darlene loved tending her flower garden, dining out, and snowmobiling with Duke and their friends. She was an avid book reader and dog lover. Darlene took much joy in riding along with her husband when he worked as an OTR Truck Driver. Following Duke’s death, Darlene found peace sharing regular lunches with her friends at The Wrinkle Room.

Darlene is survived by her children: Lori (Hugh) Nikolai of Marshfield, Jeanne (Steve) Canney of DePere, and Jeff (Martha) Bunkelman of Marquette. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Megan (Steve) Colter, Adam (Margaret) Nikolai, Nicole Canney, Jackie (Misael) Ornelas, and Marianna Steinhart; and four great-grandchildren. Darlene is further survived by her sister Lorelei Rubeck.

She is predeceased by her parents and her brothers: Melvin, Clyde, Algernon, Leon, and Darrell Knippel.