Darleen F. Johnson
Darleen F. Johnson , Age 97
Darleen F. Johnson, age 97, of Baraboo, died on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at Oak Park Place in Baraboo. Darleen, daughter of William and Sadie (Luebke) Karg was born October 29, 1928 in Baraboo. On May 23, 1970 she was united in marriage to Donald H. Johnson; he preceded her in death on March 26, 1992.
Darleen was employed by A & P Grocery Store for 21 years before working for Wickus IGA for three years. She then retired from Isenberg’s Hardware in Baraboo after 13 years of employment. In her free time, she enjoyed baking cakes, crafting, bowling, doing yard work, playing bingo and playing Yahtzee. Darleen was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Baraboo where she served on the flower committee for over 25 years and also participated in the church choir.
She is survived by her sons, Rex (Mary) Dwars of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Todd (Robin) Dwars of White Plains, MD; daughter-in-law, Jean Scherschel; she is also survived by five grandchildren, Angi Ackard, Jason Dwars, Amity (Eric) Meyer, Ryan (Brooke) Dwars, Shawn Sandoval and 7 great-grandchildren, Aisia and Aidan Ackard, Isabelle and Elliott Meyer, Asher and Everlie Dwars and Egen Sandoval as well as other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; son, Allen Dwars; and her siblings, Roger (Elaine) Karg, Dorothy (Reginald) Hellpap, Lasetta (Harry) Buzzell, Evelyn (Willis) Leece, Frederick (Joyce) Karg, Monetta (Harvey) Pohlman.
Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held at Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home on Friday, January 23, 2026 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. as well as at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church or to the UW Carbone Cancer Center, Pancreas Cancer Greatest Need Fund in memory of Darleen Johnson Family / Allen and Ryan Dwars.
ETERNITY
By Frances Moore
I sit here waiting all alone
And hope to hear the telephone
Or hear a knock upon my door
Or see a friendly face once more.
It seems the years have gone so fast
I guess I am the very last
To wait for death to welcome me
And face my own eternity.
Most of my friends have gone before
And traveled through the open door,
You dare not try to hesitate
For what’s ahead, is just your fate.
They’ve all gone through that same
Old scene
And now my turn has come to mean,
I’ll soon be joining them above
And hope to find eternal love.
Condolences
John and Judy Ellington January 16, 2026
Friend BARABOO , Wisconsin
Darlene was such a beautiful, inspiring woman! Delivering meals to her was a delight as I never knew if she would be in the back yard working in her garden or downstairs washing clothes. What a treasure she was.!
gordon ranum January 16, 2026
Best friend of Darlene’s son Allan madison , Wisconsin
Darleen was an amazing woman who always amazed me with how busy she was with so many interests she was involved in such as baking lots of cookies and treats (she made the wedding cake for my wife Nancy and I). I could see her joy in tending flowers, creating artful displays in her home also repurposing discarded jewelry into works of art and refinishing many antiques. Fit and trim she was a spark of energy and inspiration and enjoyed repartee with her quick wit and laughter. I got to share much of her spirit and laughter with sons Rex and Al on our many escapades cycling and camping but more especially with that oldest apple off her tree, son Allan, my cosmic brother (both born together in Baraboo 12 hours apart) but since departed dear friend. Farewell Darleen. Nancy and I send condolences to her family and many thanks for all the great memories.
Karla Vale and Shirley Maas January 16, 2026
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Darleen was an amazing woman. She remembered my brother and I coming in to the A & P store with our parents when we were little. Condolences to her family. ~Karla
Nancy Madland January 16, 2026
Church members Baraboo , Wisconsin
Darleen and I were in St John’s church choir years ago. She was a very nice person with a pleasant personality.
Carol Johnson Hurlburt January 20, 2026
Cousin by marriage Reston , Virginia
Darlene was my cousin by marriage, and I always loved seeing her at Johnson family reunions. Her husband Don’s father and mother were my Uncle Hans and Aunt Pearl Johnson.