Darrell B. Gille, age 80 of Golden Valley, AZ, formerly of Gratiot, WI, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2024. He was born October 5, 1943, the son of Carl and Bernice (Seffrood) Gille. Darrell grew up in the Gratiot area and graduated from Gratiot High School. He was united in marriage to Carole Mau on March 25, 1961, and spent 60 wonderful years together before her passing in 2021. Darrell dedicated all of his working years to farming in the Woodford area until he and Carole retired together in 2010 and moved to Arizona where they had resided since
Darrell is survived by his children: Sherrell (Bruce) Ruegsegger, Cathy (Jeff) Pfeuti, Tammy (Randy) Larson and Nicholas (Jen) Gille; his grandchildren: Scott (Nicole) Ruegsegger, Wendy (Dennis) Ruegsegger, Sarah (Mark) Ruegsegger, Brandon (Hillary) Pfeuti, Ethan (Bri) Pfeuti, Courtney Pfeuti, Joseph (Jessica) Martin, Kaitlyn Larson, Megan Larson, Cassandra (James) Rugg, and Hailey Gille his great-grandchildren: Alexis (Cade) Winn, Javian Ruegsegger, Mackenzie, Madeline, and Makayla Ruegsegger, Brooke, Mya, and Breanna Bunker, Natalee Ruegsegger, Brooks Pfeuti, Bradley Pfeuti, Ava, Maycee, Laylaa, and Bryson Martin, Ayla and Faelan Gille; his great-great-grandchildren: Everleigh, Finleigh, and Poppy Winn, Harlowe Branson; his brothers: Vernon (Eleanor) Gille, Donald (Delva) Gille, and Kenneth (Janice) Gille; four sisters: Joyce Paulson, Erlene (Wally) Graber, Judy Mau, and Nola (Terry) Haldiman; sisters-in-law: Margaret Mau, Dorothy (LaVerne) Bower, and Janice Mau; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Carole; one daughter: Jennifer Gille; two grandsons: Ryan Ruegsegger and Nathan Larson; one brother: David Gille; parents-in-law: Leo and Elma Mau; his brothers and sisters-in-law: Bernard McKenna, Gerald Paulson, Richard Mau, William (Judy) Mau, Robert Mau, Shirley Meyers, and Elaine (Gene) Simons.
Darrell always had an adventurous spirit and most recently traveled to Alaska in 2022 where he zip-lined, kayaked, and four-wheeled. Darrell was never slowed down by his cancer diagnosis, and in the midst of his battle in 2023 he took a cruise. He was a huge fan of the Green Bay Packers and proudly cheered them on all the way from Arizona. His family and friends were the most important parts of his life and he cherished every memory and moment he had with them. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery. A visitation will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 9:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington, WI, is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
