Darlene Edith Coles (nee Walk) passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 18, 2022, at the age of 82. A devout Catholic who loved God, Darlene is now at peace with her Savior.

Darlene is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, King P. Coles, Sr., and their three adoring children, Annette (Konrad) Ellenberger, King P. Coles II (Nancy), and Dawn (David) Gamalski. She is remembered as the beloved grammy of John (Erica) Ellenberger, Courtney Coles, Christin Coles, Cassandra Coles and King P. Coles III; great-grammy of Rory and Zachary Gloudemans; auntie of Dan (Karen) Walk, Duane Walk, Sandy (Todd) Gahring, David (Susan) Steward, Melinda Larson-Horne (Eric) Horne and Robert (Heidi) Larson; and brother and sister-in-law of Leo and June Walk. Darlene’s memory is also cherished by many additional family members, close friends, neighbors and schoolmates.

Darlene has now been taken by the angels and reunited with her loved ones who went before her, including her father and mother, Leo and Marion (nee Bley) Walk; father-in-law and mother-in-law Godfrey and Florence (nee Chandler) Coles; brother Albert Walk; uncle Robert Bley; granddaughter Jessica Ellenberger; great-granddaughter Madyson Marshel; sister-in-law Joan Steward (nee Coles); and nephews Dean and Dana Walk.

Prior to the birth of her first daughter, Darlene worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield, but her life’s work was to raise and nurture three caring and productive children. Darlene was an amazing cook and baker who loved to make people happy with her creative and delicious concoctions. She was also an avid novel reader and enjoyed playing cards with her friends.

In later years, Darlene’s muscle disease, myotonic dystrophy, progressed and eventually took her ability to walk. Yet her limitations did not impact her love of life nor her love for her husband King, who became her 24-hour caretaker. King dedicated himself to making Darlene feel loved, cared for and safe.

If you ask King, he will tell you that he would have continued to care for Darlene forever because of the deep love that they shared. Darlene and King were teenage sweethearts who were together for a total of 71 years. The last card King gave her — “just because” — read, “When we fell in love, I gave you my heart. When we got married, I gave you my word. And as long as I live, I will give you my love!” Their Darlene Edith Coles love and devotion remains an inspiration to all of us.

Per Darlene’s wishes, a Mass will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, at Holy Cross Chapel, 5330 County Road B, Belgium, Wisconsin 53004. Visitation will start at 10:30 AM and continue until Mass begins at 12:00 PM

In lieu of flowers, the Coles family requests that donations be made to the Belgium Fire Department, where all of the men and women volunteer their time to protect their community. We are so grateful to the emergency medical technicians and the paramedic unit for taking very good care of Darlene. Donations may be mailed to
Attn: Chief Dan Birenbaum, Belgium Fire Department, P.O. Box 209, Belgium, WI, 53004.