Darlene Marie (Hurst) Tollakson went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Darlene was born April 20, 1937 the daughter of Ralph and Helen (Kaiser) Hurst in Warren, IL. Darlene married the love of her life, Ted Tollakson November 6, 1954 and together they farmed in rural South Wayne, WI. Darlene was “Ma” to her nine children and kept very busy with farm life and raising her children to know and love Jesus. She enjoyed tending her flowers, reading, birdwatching from her porch and was an accomplished embroiderer and quilter, making a wedding quilt for each of her children and grandchildren and a baby quilt for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the central force of the Tollakson family. Darlene was a devout prayer warrior, keeping God and her Bible studies very close to her heart.
Darlene is survived by her husband, Ted, South Wayne. Children Debbie (Mike) Mau, Argyle, Marne (Steve) Bechtolt, South Wayne, Kim (Mark) Stalker, Kenosha, Greg Tollakson, South Wayne, Robin (Rick) Nafzger, Monroe, Jodi (Tim) Schliem, South Wayne, Patty (Todd) Ritschard, South Wayne, (Steve) Mau, South Wayne and honorary daughter, Mary Miller of Middleton. 26 grandchildren Ben (Ellen) Mau, Argyle, Daniel (Crystal) Mau, Monroe, Josh (Alyssa) Mau, South Wayne, Caitlin Mau, Dubuque, IA, Michelle Mau, Madison, Jeremy (Stephanie) Mau, Dubuque, IA, Mandy (Dan) Koch, Argyle, Wendy (Tony) Gilbertson, Lena, IL, Mackenzie Bechtolt, South Wayne, Gabe (Julie) Stalker, Racine, Molly (Josh) Harrold, Milwaukee, Maggie Stalker, Kenosha, Noah Stalker, Kansasville, Jonah Stalker, Kansasville, Connor Nafzger, Madison, Tess Nafzger, Monroe, Justin (Cali) Schliem, Browntown, Payton (Kim) Schliem, Monroe, Hayden (Liz) Schliem, Monroe, Thatcher, Dempsey, and Eli Schliem, South Wayne, Britney (Dan) Johnson, Black Earth, Brooke (Jordan) Gilbertson, Monroe, Rachel Ritschard, South Wayne and Hannah Ritschard, South Wayne. 29 great-grandchildren Thomas and Caroline Mau, Jovi and Jack Mau, Ivory and Vince Mau, Claire Hinze, Emmett, Walker, Kennedy and Brynlee Mau, Samuel, Emerson, Zuri and Leyna Koch, Owen and Cooper Gilbertson, Michael Stalker, Ava and Ila Schliem, Brie Schliem, Rowyn Schliem, Gracie, Halle, Heath, Mya and Megan Johnson, Emmie Gilbertson, Waylon Ritschard, and more on the way. A brother Dennis (Cherie) Hurst. And many special nieces and nephews, along with countless others that knew and loved her as “Grandma Dar.”
She was proceeded in death by her parents, son Gary, daughter Cindy Mau, grandson Michael Nafzger, and great grandson, Mathais Koch and two brothers Kenneth and Bob Hurst.
Darlene was a member of Gratiot Evangelical Free Church in Gratiot. Visitation services will be held Saturday, May 8th from 9 until 11 at Martintown Community Church in Martintown, WI. Funeral will follow with Pastors Glenn Andes and Kevin Cernek officiating. A private family burial will be in the Union Cemetery in South Wayne, WI. Erikson Funeral home, Argyle, WI will be assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at http://www.ericksonfuneralhome.com
In Lieu of flowers, a memorial is being set up in Darlene’s name.
