Fifth Generation

172. Darlene Jane GRIFFIN was born on 9 December 1932 in Grant Township, Monroe County, WI.^76,241 She died on 25 February 2022 at the age of 89 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁴¹ Obituary Notes: "Darlene Jane (Griffin) Schroeder, 89, of Tomah, WI, passed away peacefully Friday, February 25, 2022, at Close To Home in Tomah. Darlene was born December 9, 1932, to Delbert and Margaret (Ryckmen) Griffin, in Grant Township, Monroe County, WI.

Darlene was a real “go-getter.” She owned and operated the 400 Club in Millston, WI, in the late 80’s-90’s. She worked in various areas of food service throughout her life and loved to cook and bake.

Polka music ran through Darlene’s blood so attending every dance event she could was one of her favorite pastimes. She was a long-time member and past Matron of the Eastern Stars. Darlene was an incredible, hard worker, but found time to create amazing quilts for family and friends. Crocheting and needlepoint were also talents that Darlene enjoyed doing and she impressed everyone with. She enjoyed when her children were in Boy Scouts and 4H and saved their certificates and ribbons.

She married Miles Schroeder, October 28, 1959, in Waukon, IA. They lived in the Warrens area raising 5 children.

Darlene is survived by her five children, Dallas (Bonnie) Wilhite of Warrens, WI, Kent Wilhite of Tomah, Daniel Schroeder of Warrens, Jane (Chris) Powless of Oneida, WI, and Tracey (Dennis) McGinnis of Warrens; 8 grandchildren – Amber, Caitlin, Jerrel, Isaiah, Chanyn, Megan, Becky and Michelle; 13 great grandchildren – Isabella, Callen, Miles, Charlotte, Finley, Merrit, Ethan, JJ, Krystal, Shakota, Zoey, Amellia and Jacob and 2 great great grandchildren – Makenna and Ezra; brother Lloyd Griffin; sisters, Lois (Jerry) Kanable, Eileen Clark and Audrey Graham. Along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Delbert and Margaret Griffin; daughter in law Ann Schroeder; Brothers, Dwaine and Harley, sisters Beverly Hutchison, Joyce Griffin, Lydia Helmich, and Marge Maack.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah, WI. Pastor David Dahl will officiate. Burial will follow in the LaGrange Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home."

Darlene Jane GRIFFIN and Miles S. SCHROEDER were married on 28 October 1959 in Waukon, Allamakee County, IA.^75,241,242 Miles S. SCHROEDER, son of Emil SCHROEDER and Thelma MOSELEY, was born on 7 May 1934.²⁴³ He died on 8 January 2012 at the age of 77 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁴³

Obituary Notes: "Miles S. Schroeder, 77, of Tomah, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at Close to Home Assisted Living. He was born to Emil and Thelma (Moseley) Schroeder on May 7, 1934. He was a member of the Tomah Senior High School graduating class of 1952.

He was united in marriage to Darlene Schroeder on Oct. 28, 1959. He was united in marriage to Sandy Wood in 1984. He later was united in marriage to Eileen Langland until her death in 2002.

He worked at Fort McCoy and drove semis for several years. It was Miles’ lifelong ambition to build a cranberry marsh, and in 1984 that dream was realized. He built Al Chaca Farms. In November of 2005 he had a stroke and had been a resident at Close to Home.

Miles was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. He also was a member of the Tomah Masonic Lodge No. 132 as a 32nd-degree Mason. Most important to Miles was spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed working with his hands and would cut down cedar trees from his property to make cedar chests for his granddaughters. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by a son, Daniel Schroeder of Warrens; two daughters, Jane (Chris) Powless of Oneida and Tracey (Dennis) McGinnis of Warrens; five grandchildren, Amber Koel of La Crosse, Caitlin Schenck of Oneida, Charyn McGinnis of New Lisbon, Megan McGinnis of Warrens and Isaiah Powless of Oneida; a great-grandson, Callen Schenck of Oneida; two stepsons, Dallas (Bonnie) Wilhite of Merrillan and Kent Wilhite of Tomah; three sisters, Arlene Smith of Seattle Wash., Mary (Don) Peth of Cocoa Beach, Fla., and Audrey (Paul) Knutson of Loveland, Colo.; many nieces; nephews; cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Eileen; a daughter-in-law, Annie; and three sisters, Vivian, Ruth and Florence.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, town of Kirby. Pastor Phillip Enderle will officiate. Burial will be at Warren Mills Cemetery."