Darlene Raleigh, age 82, of Ellsworth, Wisconsin, died on Saturday, May 31, 2025, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by family and love.
Darlene was born to George and Catherine (Hartmann) Hennen on June 30, 1942, in Shakopee, Minnesota. She married Jim Raleigh on May 9, 1964, and in 1967 they moved to Wisconsin and began their life farming in Pierce County. Their marriage blessed them with six beautiful children: Beth, Mike, Rose, Karen, Dianne, and Mark. Darlene was a loving wife, mother and grandma.
Darlene loved adventures and laughter. She enjoyed traveling, long lunches with friends, trips back to Burnsville, and even went skydiving for her 75th birthday.
Darlene dedicated many hours volunteering and being involved with the Pierce County 4-H program, community activities, leadership in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, as well as Diocese of La Crosse. She was a woman of faith and would say the rosary daily along with prayers for those she loved.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jim, granddaughter Jordyn Hope, her parents and brothers- Eugene, Cleon and Elroy.
Darlene is survived by her six children- Beth (Craig) Ingli, Elmwood; Mike (Margaret), Elmwood; Rose Raleigh, Woodville; Karen (Brandon) Rettke, Roseville; Dianne (John) Baier, Arcadia; and Mark (Crystal) of Spring Valley. Ten grandchildren- Kay (Tom) Guitzkow, Celia (Brady) Burgraff, Rick (Kaitlyn) Ingli, Erin (Ryan) Hayden, Owen and Theo Rettke, Morgan and Devon Baier, and Dustyn and Weston Raleigh. Seven great-grandchildren – Joel, Henry, Amelia, Nora, Hazel, Howard, Evan and baby girl Hayden due in June. Darlene is further survived by many family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Spring Valley, Wisconsin. The Rosary will be prayed beginning at 3:45 p.m. Mass of Christian burial for Darlene will be Saturday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to Mass. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Jim at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Cemetery in Spring Valley.
Darlene requested in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Cemetery in Spring Valley, Wisconsin or to the St. John the Baptist Cemetery Association in Savage, Minnesota.
Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley (kkehrfuneralhome.com) is handling arrangements.
