Darlene Marie (Murphy) Rich, age 69, passed away at her home on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Darlene was born April 19, 1957, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Raymond and Jeannette (Freeman) Murphy. Her family moved to Vancouver, Washington, when she was young, where she grew up with her sisters, Liz and Linda, and brothers, John and Tom.
Darlene married Terry Johnson, and they welcomed sons Terry Jr. and Larry. She later married Scott Rich, who adopted the boys, and together Darlene and Scott welcomed sons Alexander and Zachary. In 2007, Darlene and Scott moved to Wisconsin when Scott transferred his federal civil service position from Elmendorf Air Force Base to Fort McCoy.
Family was incredibly important to Darlene, and she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed shopping, decorating for the holidays, spending time with friends, and attending Bible study at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sparta, where she was a member. Darlene worked for six years at Good Steward Resale Shop in La Crosse, benefiting Luther High School—a job she truly loved.
Darlene was funny, outgoing, and rarely went unnoticed in a room. She had a laugh that could seemingly be heard from a mile away. If you weren’t sure where she was, you only had to wait until she started laughing to find her—and, inevitably, she would.
She was also a great cook. Her family remembers Sunday roasts, spaghetti, tater tot casserole, shepherd’s pie, and grape Kool-Aid always waiting in the refrigerator. They also won’t soon forget her occasionally lumpy mashed potatoes—jokingly compared to wallpaper paste—or the infamous overdone Thanksgiving turkey that rivaled the one in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Darlene is survived by Scott Rich; brothers, John (Kathy) Murphy and Tom Murphy; sons, Terry (Amy) Rich, Larry (Jenn) Rich, Alexander (Allisa) Rich, and Zachary (Taytum) Rich; grandchildren, Owen (Olivia) Rich, Grace (Brennan) Moldan, Alexis Rich, London Rich, Austin Rich, Archer Rich, Anora Rich, Noah Rich, and Samson Rich; great-granddaughter, Mabel; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond Murphy and Jeannette Freeman; sisters, Liz and Linda; and nephew, Chad.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 10, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sparta, with visitation at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Darlene will be laid to rest at St. John’s Cemetery in a private burial, with a luncheon for funeral attendees following the burial.
Memorials may be directed to Good Steward Resale Shop, St. John’s Lutheran Church, or Luther High School.
Darlene will be remembered for her love of family, the meals and laughter they shared, and a personality that could fill a room. Those who knew her will especially remember that unmistakable laugh—and how much quieter the room will seem without it.
Torkelson Funeral Home of Sparta is assisting family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home of Sparta
