Darlene J.

Michalski

Darlene J. Michalski, 92, of Marshfield passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 10th, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, November 18th, 2026 at Rembs Funeral Home in Marshfield with Deacon Ray Draeger officiating. Visitation for family and friends will also be at Rembs Funeral Home starting at 9:30am until the time of the service.

Darlene was born on March 28th, 1934, the only child of Melvin (“Bushy”) Behrens and Mary (Thomer) Behrens. As a child, she attended Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School and later graduated from Marshfield Senior High School in 1952.

Darlene was married to Donald J. Michalski on May 12th, 1956 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Not long after that Darlene and Donnie welcomed their son, Darrell, into their family. Two years later, their daughter, Dawn, was born. Family meant everything to Darlene, and when Donnie passed away at an early age, she said, “There will never be another man for me.” She held true to that until the end, living independently with Dawn, who so lovingly and faithfully cared for Darlene, allowing her to successfully and safely remain in their home until her passing. Darlene’s world revolved around her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren – who she absolutely adored, was so proud of, and would tell everyone all about. Especially when the great-grandchildren visited, it was almost a guarantee that you would hear Grandma Dar say, “Well, bless your heart!”

Darlene was a lifelong resident of Marshfield having worked for Hub City Foods, Frenchy’s, Cooper’s Cheese Factory, and caring for numerous children in her home over the years. Darlene will forever be remembered for her love of food, cooking, and baking. She was renowned for her beef roast and dumplings at Christmas. She was also well known for the breads she baked in her home and sold to friends and neighbors. She’d share recipes from a magazine or cookbook (or a new recipe that Dawn or Lily said they should try), she’d sit at the kitchen table cutting up vegetables, or she’d simply be telling you what she’d had to eat all week. In one way, shape, or form, Dar showed her love through food.

In Darlene’s younger days, she enjoyed being out on the town with Donnie for a good Wisconsin Friday Night Fish Fry, going camping with family friends in St. Germaine, Richfield Park, and Dexterville, and later travelling on many bus trips. She was a long-time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church singing in the choir and a member of the Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW). She was also a member of the American Legion Post #54 Auxiliary. As the years went by, Darlene took much joy in playing cards and games, chatting on the phone with friends and family, religiously watching the Milwaukee Brewer’s (and would yell at the TV “Come on! Get ‘em!”), taking a ride around Marshfield to “keep tabs” on what was happening, and she would never pass up the opportunity to buy one more flower basket for her yard in the summer. Darlene and Dawn’s home was always immaculate - decorated for each season, and adorned with cardinals, strawberries, and most recently, roosters.

Darlene is survived by her children, Darrell (Lily) Michalski of Marshfield and Dawn Michalski of Marshfield; granddaughters, Jessica (Ryan) Merkel of Stratford and Amy (Richard) Ronning of Marshfield; and great-grandchildren, Gaven Ronning, Keara Ronning, Amelia Knapp, Elle Merkel, and Jaci Merkel.

Darlene was predeceased in death by her parents and her husband.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Darlene’s honor to a local charity.