Obituary: Darlene Oakley

Darlene Oakley, age 79, was taken to her heavenly home on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Ascension St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Appleton.

Darlene was born January 28, 1943 in Appleton, daughter of the late Alfred and Vila (Becker) Lau. She was a graduate of Chilton High School, class of 1960. She continued her education at New Ulm Teaching College from 1960 – 1962. On November 24, 1962, Darlene married Raymond Oakley at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rantoul. He preceded her in death on April 27, 2014. In 1987, she graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Science for Teaching, Summa Cumae Laude from Silver Lake College, Manitowoc. Darlene was a Lutheran Elementary School Teacher for 31 years, working 22 years of her carrier at St. Peter Lutheran School in Collins. She was among 9 other teachers nationwide for the Celebrating Teachers Initiative by DePaul University, an honor she was very proud of. During her time in Collins, Darlene was a teacher, acted as Principal for a time, was the sports director, was the teacher for art, music, and helped with other various subjects. Darlene was also very active in her faith and church as the organist for many years, was in the choir, was active in the Ladies Society, and truly cared about her church.

Darlene is survived by her two children: Mark Oakley of Collins and Stephanie (fiancé Cory Lewis) of Milwaukee; one granddaughter: Annie Oakley of Collins; step-grandchildren: Olivia and Cory Jr.; sisters and brothers-in-law: Beverly (Carl) Daun of New Holstein, Suzanne (Robert “Bob”) Griem of Fox River Grove, and Janice (John) Moore of San Antonio, TX; one brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: David (Theresa) Oakley of Manitowoc, Sharon Vugrinovich of Manitowoc; specials friends: Mike and Kathy Engler of Chilton; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her father-in-law and mother-in-law: Alfred and Mabel (Wettstein) Oakley, and in-laws: Marlin Oakley and Diane Rasmussen.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Collins. Officiating will be Rev. Robert Weiss. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call at the church on Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

Online condolences may be made www.pielhopwieting.com

Memorials are appreciated to St. Peter Lutheran Church in Collins.

The Pielhop Wieting Funeral Homes of Brillion & Reedsville is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.