Darlene C. Wicklund

Darlene Wicklund, 76, went to be with our Lord and Savior on July 3, 2025. She was born on August 26, 1948, in Washington DC. Edgar and Helen Ericson adopted Darlene and brought her home to Waukon, Iowa where she enjoyed growing up on the family farm. Darlene loved spending time with her aunts, uncles, cousins & her animals growing up. She was a member of the Waukon High School Class of 1966.

Shortly after graduation she married Lynn Nesheim and they moved to Rockford, Illinois. Together they welcomed Cynthia Diane and Daniel Blake. In the early 70's they moved to Southern California. Darlene made great friends in California. She was still close to them at the time she passed. She enjoyed her church family at Carlton Hills Lutheran Church singing in the choir and worshiping the Lord. In May of 1989, Darlene and Lynn lost their beloved son, Daniel, in a car wreck. They later divorced and Darlene moved back to Iowa to help care for her Mom.

After moving to Iowa, she met Dale Wicklund, and they were married on October 18, 1990. Dale had lost his wife, and his children, Susan and John had also lost their mother at a very young age. Together, Darlene and Dale brought comfort to each other after such tremendous losses.

In 1991, they bought a small farm in Tomah, WI. They filled the farm with animals/livestock, family and friends near or far away would come to visit. Darlene was always sharing stories about Farmer Bob (Dale) which were entertaining to all.

Darlene was a faithful member of the Bible Evangelical Free Church in Tomah using her gifts of music, caregiving, generosity and hospitality to serve countless members and friends. She sang at many funerals and one of her favorite hymns, which she sang at her parents and her son, Daniel's, funerals was Until Then.

Darlene was quick to laugh with the joys in life, steadfast help to those in need, ever working to make her surroundings beautiful and gave the gift of worshipful music with her voice and keyboard. Her generosity of time, tasks and resources blessed so many around her. She would light up a room when she walked in. She had such a giving heart and was loved by all that knew her. She taught us all about giving grace in a way that will not be forgotten.

She was delighted when she became a Grandma and made many trips to Montana to visit them, often bringing friends along to visit.

Darlene and Dale were blessed with 7 grandsons between them. In August of 2023 Darlene was delighted to become a great grandma to Thea. She had just recently made a trip to Montana & was excited to find out another great grandchild is on the way & was already planning her next visit in September.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Dale; daughter, Cyndi (Mike) Frey of Whitehall MT; Susan (Tim) O'Malley of Beach Park, IL; John (Shannon) Wicklund of Mankato, MN; grandchildren, Daniel Frey, Erik (Shiloh) Frey, Zachary (Aliana) Frey, Tarin (Nic) Feinstein, Carrick O'Malley, Connor O'Malley, Cuinn O'Malley and Chase Wicklund… and great-granddaughter Thea Frey, many cousins, nieces, nephews and some very special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Helen Ericson and her son, Daniel.

She will be missed terribly, but we are grateful for how she loved and gave so much of herself to all her family and friends.

Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (ESV)

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 14, 2025, 11am at Bible Ev. Free Church, 625 W. Veterans Street, Tomah. Pastor Neil Nelson and Pastor Timothy Erickson will officiate. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Monday at the church from 9:30am until the time of the service. Burial will be in the Center Baptist Cemetery in Village Creek, Iowa on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 11:00 AM.

Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilfy.com