STOUGHTON - Darlene J. Joosten, age 87, of Stoughton, Wis., peacefully passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2025, at Skaalen Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Stoughton under the care of Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on October 13, 1937, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Frank and Alice (Cacelli) Reipsa.

Darlene graduated from Christian Fenger High School in Chicago in 1955. She was a switchboard operator for Illinois Bell. She married Arthur Lee Joosten in June 1959. They moved to Monona Wis., in 1967, where she was a homemaker, and later worked for Ohmeda as a section leader in the Billing Department. They retired to Hot Springs, Ark., in 1986. They enjoyed dancing, traveling, hunting, fishing and camping together for many years. After Art passed, Darlene returned to Wisconsin and settled in Stoughton where she returned to work for the City of Fitchburg, first as a receptionist, and then she became Deputy City Clerk.

After retiring (again!) she continued to work at the polls for many years. She volunteered at her grandson’s elementary school. She was an avid reader enjoying the Stoughton Public Library. And, oh, how she loved to bake! (and always had a sweet treat to share). Darlene was always willing to help friends and family with projects like wallpapering, reupholstering a favorite chair or sewing curtains. She especially loved being included in her daughter’s circle of friends, enjoying a Friday Night Fish Fry out with “the girls.” Darlene most loved her grandson, Ryan, and enjoyed many adventures to House on the Rock, the Harley Davidson Museum, Cave of the Mounds and so much more, as he was growing up.

Darlene is survived by her daughter, Jeanine (Kevin) Zwart and grandson, Ryan Zwart of Madison; brothers, Ronald (Marilyn) Reipsa, John (Pam) Reipsa and Chuck (Peg) Reipsa; nieces, Jill (Hans Jonsson) Reipsa, Jennifer (Larry) Tutor and Lindsay Reipsa; nephew, Joe Reipsa; and great-nephew, Nathan Tutor; as well as many lifelong friends and wonderful neighbors. She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Art; her in-laws; Arthur and Julia Joosten; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family wishes to thank the many caring and compassionate doctors, nurses and staff of both Stoughton and St. Mary’s Hospitals, Skaalen Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Agrace HospiceCare.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring of 2025. Memorials may be made to the Stoughton Public Library, the Stoughton Senior Center, or The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired in Madison. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Mom, I’m on page 84 of “The Chicken Sisters” and I’ll be thinking of you as I read every page. Love you!

Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral & Cremation Care

1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.

(608) 873-4590

Darlene Joyce Joosten

October 13, 1937 - January 22, 2025

Share photos of Darlene