Darlene L. Stadel

1948 - 2024

Darlene L. Stadel (Kile), age 76 years, of West Bend, Wisconsin sadly left us on October 22, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was a vibrant and elegant woman filled with unconditional love and acceptance for all.

She was born May 20, 1948, in Washburn, Wisconsin to her loving parents James and Grace (Milligan) Kile. While still very young, she and her sisters Wanda (Don Polster), Dawn (Kim Pallin) Kile, and Denise (Keith Davis) moved with their parents to Oshkosh, Wisconsin where most of her childhood memories were made. Darlene enjoyed music all her life, first by playing the trombone in her school band, then attending concerts of all kinds from classical to jazz and rock. She began dating her life-long sweetheart Ashley V. Stadel in the ninth grade at the age of 14 and they were married in 1967 shortly after graduating high school. They nested their first home in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and then moved ten times before settling in Darlene's dream home in West Bend, Wisconsin.

She began her first banking job as a teller in 1966 and retired in 2015 after working 27 years for West Bend Savings Bank (Westbury) as an accounting clerk. She also enjoyed working on several interior design projects for them.

Together across 57 years of marriage, Ashley and Darlene raised three sons – Dean (Kathy) Stadel, David (Leah) Stadel, and Ryan Stadel – and gathered eight grandchildren: Kile (Ashley), Tessa (Thomas), Levee, Madeline, Hannah, Hope, Ella, and Emma (Garyet). They also welcomed great grandchildren Easton and Della.

Darlene's passions included above all her family. She celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and life-accomplishments with heart-felt love and pride. Throughout the year she could be found spending time with them individually in fiercely competitive games and in conversation filled with laughter. Her relationships with her sisters was equally strong all of her life; together they had countless memories and stories filled with laughter and tears. They most affectionately called her Dee Dee.

Darlene and Ashely together also shared a deep passion for dancing introduced to them by Jackie Stumpf and Lynn Boelkow. Together they danced on cruise ships, ballrooms throughout the Midwest, and managed the West Bend Dance Club. Her collection of shoes, beaded purses and exquisite gowns typified her taste for elegance. Darlene and Ashley had enjoyed dancing together up to her final week of a life.

Of all the wonderful things Darlene was and the contributions she has made to so many, she most wants to be remembered, in her own words, "as a thoughtful, caring and giving person who was both trustworthy and non-judgmental". These things she was to all, and her beautiful love and friendship will be dearly missed.

Darlene's celebration of life will be held on the afternoon of November 6, 2024, at the American Legion on 712 Park Avenue, West Bend. An open reception is offered from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm with a special time of sharing memories from 3:00 – 4:00 pm.

The Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home has been entrusted with Darlene's arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.


Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service
1315 W. Washington Street
West Bend, WI
(262) 334-2776