Darlene Gertrude (Kast) Schmitz, age 85, of rural Norwalk, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Darlene was born on September 14, 1941, to Vernon and Margaret (Steidl) Kast. She attended grade school in Melvina and Pine Hollow and was a 1959 graduate from Cashton High School.
She married Eugene “Mike” Schmitz on January 14, 1961, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pine Hollow. They lived all of their married life on the family farm in Halls Valley. Darlene remained at home on the farm after Mike’s passing on September 1, 2015.
Darlene was never one to sit still. If she was not tending to the children, in the barn or garden, canning her harvest, baking, or cooking, she could be found waitressing at various local restaurants.
She was a faithful member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church on St. Mary’s Ridge, Norwalk, where she was involved in the St. Mary’s Altar Society. Darlene and Mike were active members of the Frogtown Sports Club, where she served as the treasurer. She also enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino and scratching off a lottery ticket. Above all, Darlene treasured time spent with her family, especially when it included a game of cards or Farkle.
Darlene is survived by her children, Marabeth (Marty) Leum, Shelly (Willie Dewitt) Von Ruden, Jill (Dave) Lindner, and Jackie (Brent) Gerl; seven grandchildren, Marty (Kayla) Leum, Casey Austin, Jason (Emily) Revels, Kristen Von Ruden, Joshua (Aeriana) Lindner, Tyler (Lane) Lindner, and Brynn Gerl; 11 great-grandchildren, London and Lox, Evan, Tate, and Raylea, Maverick, Brylee and Harper, Ainsley, Rollie and Lettie; siblings, Donald (Kay) Kast, Patricia “Patsy” (Lamont) Berendes, Marcia (James) Pfaff, William “Bill” (Carol) Kast, and Dale (Debbie) Kast; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Betty Schmitz, Cletus “Pete” Schmitz, Joyce Dunnum, Caroline Wavra, Melissa Schmitz, and Robert (Jane) Gilbeck; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors who will miss her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene “Mike” Schmitz; son, Christopher Michael Schmitz; her parents, Vernon and Margaret Kast; brother, James Kast; her in-laws, Hubert and Loretta Schmitz; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Gallis “Butch” Schmitz, Mary Schmitz, Helen “Jenny” (Glen) Muehlenkamp, James Dunnum, Donald Wavra, James (Mary) Schmitz, and Geraldine “Toots” Gilbeck.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Patsy, who never left Mom’s side after her diagnosis. You were the best caregiver we could have asked for her. We would also like to thank all the oncology staff at Gundersen, especially Dr. Harmon, Staci Conti, and Dr. Gold, for the exceptional care you provided to Mom. We are equally grateful to the infusion staff at Tomah Health for their kindness and care throughout her treatments.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church on St Mary’s Ridge, Norwalk. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., with rosary beginning at 12:30 p.m. at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. Additional visitation for Darlene will be held on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Sparta Area Cancer Support (SACS) in memory of Darlene. The Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
Darlene Gertrude (Kast) Schmitz, age 85, of rural Norwalk, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Darlene was born on September 14, 1941, to Vernon and Margaret (Steidl) Kast. She attended grade school in Melvina and Pine Hollow and was a 1959 graduate from Cashton High School.
She married Eugene “Mike” Schmitz on January 14, 1961, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pine Hollow. They lived all of their married life on the family farm in Halls Valley. Darlene remained at home on the farm after Mike’s passing on September 1, 2015.
Darlene was never one to sit still. If she was not tending to the children, in the barn or garden, canning her harvest, baking, or cooking, she could be found waitressing at various local restaurants.
She was a faithful member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church on St. Mary’s Ridge, Norwalk, where she was involved in the St. Mary’s Altar Society. Darlene and Mike were active members of the Frogtown Sports Club, where she served as the treasurer. She also enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino and scratching off a lottery ticket. Above all, Darlene treasured time spent with her family, especially when it included a game of cards or Farkle.
Darlene is survived by her children, Marabeth (Marty) Leum, Shelly (Willie Dewitt) Von Ruden, Jill (Dave) Lindner, and Jackie (Brent) Gerl; seven grandchildren, Marty (Kayla) Leum, Casey Austin, Jason (Emily) Revels, Kristen Von Ruden, Joshua (Aeriana) Lindner, Tyler (Lane) Lindner, and Brynn Gerl; 11 great-grandchildren, London and Lox, Evan, Tate, and Raylea, Maverick, Brylee and Harper, Ainsley, Rollie and Lettie; siblings, Donald (Kay) Kast, Patricia “Patsy” (Lamont) Berendes, Marcia (James) Pfaff, William “Bill” (Carol) Kast, and Dale (Debbie) Kast; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Betty Schmitz, Cletus “Pete” Schmitz, Joyce Dunnum, Caroline Wavra, Melissa Schmitz, and Robert (Jane) Gilbeck; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors who will miss her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene “Mike” Schmitz; son, Christopher Michael Schmitz; her parents, Vernon and Margaret Kast; brother, James Kast; her in-laws, Hubert and Loretta Schmitz; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Gallis “Butch” Schmitz, Mary Schmitz, Helen “Jenny” (Glen) Muehlenkamp, James Dunnum, Donald Wavra, James (Mary) Schmitz, and Geraldine “Toots” Gilbeck.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Patsy, who never left Mom’s side after her diagnosis. You were the best caregiver we could have asked for her. We would also like to thank all the oncology staff at Gundersen, especially Dr. Harmon, Staci Conti, and Dr. Gold, for the exceptional care you provided to Mom. We are equally grateful to the infusion staff at Tomah Health for their kindness and care throughout her treatments.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church on St Mary’s Ridge, Norwalk. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., with rosary beginning at 12:30 p.m. at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. Additional visitation for Darlene will be held on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Sparta Area Cancer Support (SACS) in memory of Darlene. The Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
