Denise Marie Clark, age 64 of Darlington, WI passed away from complications of stage IV leiomyosarcoma on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at the SSM Hospice Home in Monroe. She was born on May 18, 1959 to Clifford Clark and Darlene (Heilman) Eells in Freeport, IL. She was a graduate of Orangeville High School; she continued her education at Highland Community College where she studied music and business. She later earned her Bachelor’s Degree from UW-Whitewater in mass communications with a focus in journalism. Denise was united in marriage to Thomas Metz, together they had three daughters; she later married Michael Dammen and together they had two sons.
Denise worked in customer relations for Land’s End for over 20 years. She had also worked several years at Microswitch and appreciated her time writing for the Republican Journal in Darlington. She was a longtime member of New Life United Pentecostal Church in Dodgeville.
Denise loved and adored her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed attending church, traveling when she could, and spending time with her family and friends. She had a tremendous heart, and always made you feel welcome. She kept her faith and was at peace with her life’s journey. One last journal entry Denise made on July 11, 2023, “If I could save time in a bottle, the first thing that I’d ever do was to save everyday like a treasure.”
Denise is survived by her children, Melissa (Mitch) McKillip, Megan (Steve Schmitt) Halvorson, Wyatt (Lainee McLennan) Dammen, and Keith Dammen; grandchildren, Adia (Jacob Walker) Metz, James and Lydia McKillip, and Lynea Halvorson; the fathers of her children, Thomas (Patti) Metz and Michael Dammen; her mother, Darlene Eells; her father, Clifford (Judy) Clark; her maternal grandmother, Willabelle Heilman; siblings, Ken (Diana) Clark, Connie (Darwin) Ilgen, Lisa Clark, Tim (Karen) Eells, Tom (Michelle) Eells, Debbie Gartner, Alan (Dee) Hegi, Lori (John) Lindley, and Tonya Colvin; she is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Melanie Metz; step-father, Lee Eells; maternal grandparents, Art and Doris Heilman; and paternal grandparents, Raymond and Pearl Clark.
Denise’s family would like to thank the nurses, doctors, and other medical staff at SSM Hospital and SSM Hospice Home that kept her comfortable during her time spent there.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at SHRINER HAGER GOHLKE Funeral Home with Rev. Simon Chappell officiating.
Visitation will be held on Saturday from 11:00AM until the time of service, at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
