Darwin O. Ebert

Darwin Otto Ebert, age 89, of Ripon, passed away on Thursday, January 30th 2025 at home with his wife by his side after a long battle against cancer. Darwin was born during a snowstorm on February 26, 1935 on the Ebert family farm in Marquette, WI- son of Rheinhold & Ida (Hoffman) Ebert. He was the oldest of six children and worked on the farm, graduating from Markesan High School in 1952. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and was honorably discharged in December of 1958.

Darwin’s sister Donna introduced him to the love of his life, Grace Goldsmith, and they were married in June 1959. Together they raised four children and were blessed with three grandchildren, one step grandson, and three great-granddaughters.

After returning from the Air Force, he began working at Speed Queen in the machine shop, working his way to supervisor before leaving for Rockwell International in 1975. He finished his work career at Ripon Community Printers running a 5-color printing press, retiring for good in the fall of 1997.

Darwin enjoyed bowling since his early 20’s and bowled up until late 2024 when he was no longer physically able to throw the ball down the lane. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, taking trips out West and into Canada, but his favorite hunting/fishing ground was back on the family farm in Marquette, WI. Additional interests included mowing his lawn, raising peacocks, and feeding birds, squirrels, and his fish. He loved playing with his grandchildren and watching them grow up. Darwin had a keen sense of humor and kept it to the very end. He filled his retirement with serving in the Grand River Turkey Club for several years and attending Ducks Unlimited.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Grace; and 3 children, Judy (Randy) Laper, Allen (Jill) Ebert, and Anne (Richard) Stoltenberg; grandchildren, Sarah (Colin) Langley, Hailey Stoltenberg (Reilly Geary), Devin Stoltenberg, and Bradley (Katie) Warwick; great-grandchildren, Kenzie & Bridgett Warwick, and Grace Langley; siblings, Donna Marwitz, Doris Kok, Richard (Rose) Ebert, and Karen Kienast. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Beth; his parents, Rheiny & Ida; his brother and sister-in law, Jim & Sandy; brothers-in-law, Alton Marwitz, Lloyd Zwieg, Bryon Kok, Delmar Kienast; and his nephew, Scott Marwitz.

Visitation for Darwin will be held from 9:00 am until 10:00 am on Friday, February 7, 2025 at Terrace Shores Evangelical Free Church, W3278 Co Rd K, Markesan, WI 53946.

A funeral service for Darwin will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, February 7, 2025 at Terrace Shores Evangelical Free Church in Markesan, with Pastor Gary Zacharias officiating. Inurnment will take place at Reeds Corners Cemetery at a later date.

Keeping with Darwin’s generous spirit and long-time battle against cancer, in lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Agnesian Foundation of Greater Fond du Lac (designating Cancer Center or Home Hospice) 430 E. Division St. Fond Du Lac, WI 54935, UW Foundation (designating Carbone Cancer Center) U.S. Bank Lockbox, Box 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807, or Terrace Shores Church, W3278 Co Rd K, Markesan, WI 53946. Special thanks to Dr. Greg Hartig at UW Health, SSM Hospice, SSM Cancer Center and Darwin’s family for providing compassionate care over his cancer journey.