Darlene L. Smith

MADISON-Darlene Lois Smith, age 92, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at Oak Park Place. She was born on April 14, 1928, in New Glarus, the daughter of Anton and Hulda (Ingold) Ott. Darlene graduated from New Glarus High School in 1946. She married the love of her life, Harland Smith on Nov. 10, 1956, and they were together for 55 wonderful years. Darlene worked in the registrar’s office for UW Madison. She was a very active member of Bethel Lutheran Church, belonging to the XYZ Club and Couple’s Club and participated in many of the Bethel Horizon activities. She also volunteered at Frank Allis Elementary School. Darlene was an excellent, loving mother to two children. She was known for her cooking and baking. She loved gardening and spending time at their property in Pardeeville. Darlene was an avid traveler and enjoyed taking trips around the United States. She was 100% Swiss and very proud of her heritage. She spent a lot of time visiting New Glarus and even took a trip to Switzerland where she discovered some of her distant relatives. Darlene enjoyed taking summer vacations to Minocqua. She was a proud and very involved grandmother who delighted in attending her grandchildren's sport and school activities. Darlene was also a very active participant at Oak Park Place. Darlene is survived by her son, Rick (Marlene) Smith; daughter, Susan (Andrew) Buchert; grandsons, Nicholas and Jonathan Buchert; sister-in-laws, Elaine Ott and Barbara Burns; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harland; brother, Harold Ott; and brother-in-law, Robert Burns, Sr. A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. Entombment will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. Special thanks to Agrace HospiceCare, St. Mary’s Hospital and all the great staff at Oak Park Place for their care and support. Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare and Alzheimers and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420