Darlene Ann Mitchell

Service Details

A celebration of Darlene’s life will take place on Thursday, February 22, 2018, 12:00pm, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Road.  Visitation will be from 11:00am until the time of the service.  Entombment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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Mount Pleasant – Darlene Ann Mitchell, 77, passed away at her residence on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, surrounded by the love of her family.  She was born in Negaunee, Michigan, on October 15, 1940, daughter of the late Albert and Bertha (née: Ahola) Saari.

Darlene was a CNA for Brookside Care Center in Kenosha until her retirement.  She was united in marriage to Donald D. Mitchell on January 8, 1982, at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Racine.

Darlene loved the outdoors and enjoyed walking or even just sitting on a swing.  She loved taking a drive to just about anywhere, including their vacation home in Spring Brook, if she could get a McDonald’s ice cream cone along the way.  Darlene loved to dance and could be found back in the day with Don at places such as Smokey Stovers in Kenosha having a good time.  She enjoyed trying her luck at casinos, from here to Las Vegas, and would take regular trips with Don to have some fun.  Darlene was quiet but quick-witted.  She was a loving and caring woman that doted on her children and grandchildren.  Darlene will be dearly missed by all who loved her.

Darlene leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Don Mitchell; daughters,  Marcia (Jeff) Gapanowicz, Laurie Kemp, Terri Krueger, Karen (Mike) Diedrich; sons, Donnie (Jayne) Mitchell, Todd (Rebecca) Mitchell; grandchildren, Michael (Carolina), Jenna (Brian), Alysha (Brian), Kayla (Jonny), Austin, Forrest (Sadie), Noah, Parker (Mandy), Kali, Seth, Laura (Mike), Tina (Mike), Johnny (Catie); great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Lillie, Lola, Matthew, Joey; sister-in-law, Sharon Saari; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends too numerous to mention.

In addition to her parents, Darlene is preceded in death by her infant daughter, Debbie; infant son, Steven; daughter, Tori Mitchell; infant grandson, Justin; brother, Melvin Saari; sister, Kathleen (Herbert) Brown; and sister-in-law, Donna Mae Mitchell.

A celebration of Darlene’s life will take place on Thursday, February 22, 2018, 12:00pm, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Road.  Visitation will be from 11:00am until the time of the service.  Entombment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to granddaughter, Sadie,  for the time that she spent caring for Darlene.  Also, “Thank You” to the staff at Heart2Heart Home Healthcare, especially to her regular caregivers, Mindy, Donna, and Tianna.  And a final “Thank You” to the staff of Ascension Hospice, especially Michelle, for your care and support.