Darlene Ruby Dilley

Darlene Ruby Dilley, age 74 of Gays Mills, died Friday November 29, 2019. Darlene Ruby Dilley, age 74 of Gays Mills, died Friday, November 29, 2019 at Soldiers Grove Health Service, surrounded by her loving family and caregivers. Darlene was born November 22, 1945 in Sparta (Cataract, WI), to Clarence and Ruby (Woolhiser) Baker. After graduating from high school Darlene earned her CNA certificate and was employed as a ward clerk for Becker Shoop Nursing Home in Racine. She married the love of her life, Jerry Wayne Dilley, in Racine on March 14, 1964. After retiring they moved back to the Gays Mills area. She soon volunteered to work again, this time as treasurer for In Health Community Wellness Clinic in Boscobel, WI, (the Free Clinic). This became not only her work of passion but she enlisted Jerry to help as well, for every event, every fund-raiser and anything day to day to make things better for the clinic and for the less fortunate. Darlene received a letter of appreciation from Lincoln Lutheran Becker Shoop in Racine and was the "Employee of the Year" for Lincoln Lutheran. She also received a letter of appreciation from the Free Clinic of Boscobel and was their "Volunteer of the Year". She was an active wife, mom, grandma, great grandma, sister, aunt and friend. When she wasnt tending to her acre flower garden, she was a Cub Scout den-mother, a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, a member of the PTA, a home-room mom, and an avid sports fan where her children and grandchildren were concerned, from pee-wee to high school football games, to weight lifting competitions to basketball. At home it was always about the next events, holidays, graduations, weddings, adoptions of grandsons, births of grandchildren, having a campfire, family reunions and anything to bring the family together. At Christmas time she was all about making Christmas cookies, peanut butter balls, homemade doughnuts, breads, apple pies, jellies, pickles, and oyster stew. She enjoyed dancing, music, popcorn, diet coke, her fireplace, rummage sales, and she could spend hours playing cards with friends. She also enjoyed sewing and making homemade dresses, pajamas, and all sorts or costumes. Darlene also loved crafts, making homemade cards with pictures, curtains, blankets and so the list goes on. Darlene had her favorites as well; movie, Dirty Dancing; singer song-writer, Garth Brookes (who she saw in Kentucky at the Fireside Theater) with other favorite past-times including Black Friday shopping, Brewers games, camping, Canada camping and visiting zoos. Darlene really liked to gamble, too, not much good at it but thought it was great funespecially the looks on Jerrys face when she won. She loved to travel with Jerry, twice to Louisiana, three times to Las Vegas, trips to Florida, Nashville, an Alaskan Cruise and a trip to Hawaii. She went to the Dells with family for her 50th Anniversary trip. She took a long weekend trip to Door County touring Lambeau Field, the Packers Hall of Fame, and the area Lighthouses. God bless our memories of Darlene. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jerry; her children, Janette (Steve) Riendeau, Randy (Susan), Dan (Carla Christensen), and Dave (Amy); nine grandchildren, Brigitte (Jason) Brulz, Ashley (Carl) Bermeister, Kristi (Alex) Mumm, Katelyn (Matthew) Winski, Michael (Arielle) Dilley, Justin Dilley, Sarah Riendeau, and Declan Dilley; five great grandchildren, Alex and Alyssa Brulz, Reagan and Ryan Winski and Marley Dilley; her brother, Laverne (Pat) Baker; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Ruby; her grandson, Randy Dilley Jr.; and brother, Edward Baker. A Celebration of Life and funeral service honoring Darlene will be Saturday, December 21, 2019, 3:00 PM at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 325 Sunset Ridge Ave. and Hwy 131, in Gays Mills. Burial will take place in Racine at a time and date yet to be determined. Family and friends may call during a visitation Saturday, December 21st from 1:00 PM until time of service also at the Funeral Home. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials should be directed to the In Health Community Wellness Clinic (Free Clinic) in Boscobel. To view the entire obit or leave on-line condolences go to www.vossfh.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home, 325 Sunset Ridge Ave., in Gays Mills is serving the family. (608) 735-2100.