Darlene Loose

Darlene Loose died Friday, October 24, 2025 at the Appleton Nursing Home at the age of 90.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton. Rev. John Ramsbacher will officiate and interment will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery of Shible.

Visitation will be for one hour before the service at the church.

Darlene Della (DeLong) Loose was born November 19, 1934 in Sanford Township of Grant County, MN, the daughter of Ben and Della (Kruize) DeLong. She grew up in the Elbow Lake and Herman, MN area. She was united in marriage with Virgil Loose on October 31, 1954 in Donnelly, MN. They made their home on a farm near Appleton. Darlene wasn’t afraid to help in the barn and out in the fields, picking rock and whatever else was needed. In addition to being a farm wife, Darlene also worked at the Big Stone Canning Factory, the Appleton Hospital / Nursing Home in the laundry and kitchen, and at the Super 8 in the laundry. For several years Darlene and Virgil were the church janitors at Shible Church. Darlene enjoyed spending time with her family as well as baking and canning. She was known for her Special K bars.

She is survived by her children: Daniel (Eloise Liz) Loose of Milan, Patricia (Randy) Ascheman of Appleton, and Jeffrey (special friend Angelique) Loose of Harrisburg, SD; seven grandchildren: Kristi Meyeraan, Rochelle (Cody) Jarmer, Jereme (Miranda) Loose, Jared (Kayla) Kelm, Nathan Kelm, Xavier Loose and Josiah Loose; 3 step-grandchildren: Heather (Mark) Claeys, Brent (Tasha) Kelm, Sarah Kelm; sister-in-law, Norma DeLong; twelve great-grandchildren: Mackenzie, Karter, Camden, Cohen, Lauren, Jackson, Maggie, Trevor, Emily, Cameron, Ryan, and Hannah; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Virgil in 2006; a son, Mark in 1976; and siblings: Elsie Breum Iverson, John DeLong, Ben DeLong, Edward DeLong, Greta Mogler, and Richard DeLong.