Darlene Toonen

Appleton - Darlene Jane Toonen passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at Theda Care Regional Medical Center in Appleton. She was born on August 31, 1931 in the Town of Union, Waupaca County, to Herman and Erna (Genskow) Splitt. Darlene was united in marriage to James R. Toonen, a union that lasted more than 25 years.

As a teacher and mentor, Darlene loved teaching and her students loved her. She enthusiastically met the challenges of a lifelong career as an elementary school teacher in the Kimberly Area School District. She enjoyed history which prompted her to volunteer at the Grignon Mansion in Kaukauna, escorting groups of people through the rooms to look at artifacts and learn about the history of the Grignon family and their home. Later she began helping out with other programs at the Outagamie Museum in Appleton, leading tours in period costume at Houdini Historical Center, chatting about pioneer days during Sow and Settler events. Darlene was subsequently honored with the Harold VonderHere Outstanding Volunteer Award for her tireless dedication to the Outagamie County Historical Society.

Inspired by the kindness of those she met while traveling to Australia, England and New Zealand, Darlene volunteered to coordinate and place exchange students in the area. She helped conduct interviews for both host families to accommodate foreign students, as well as local students bound for overseas. She was a great ambassador for her community.

Darlene always enjoyed a day on the water of fishing with her father. She was an avid golfer in her younger years and always up for a long walk in the community in her later years, she enjoyed fitness and a chat with neighbors while gardening.

Darlene is survived by nieces and nephews and extended family too numerous to list by name.

Darlene is preceded in death by sisters Rosada Splitt, Elnora "Toots" (Harry) Clifton, Deloris (Eldred) Beil, Arla (Forest) Kreklow and brother Gerald (Rosella) Splitt.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Golden Care Services and Province Terrace Villa Assisted Living facility in Appleton for the care and support provided to Darlene during her stay. We would also like to thank the doctors, nurses and emergency room staff at Theda Care Regional Medical Center for the care given to Darlene.

The graveside service will be held July 22, 2021 at 11 am at Marble Cemetery, Township of Union, Waupaca County, Wisconsin.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Appleton Post-Crescent from May 6 to May 9, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Darlene Toonen

Sponsored by Dahlke Life Celebration Center - Manawa.

4 Entries

Sharon Van Domelen

May 14, 2021

Mrs. Toonen was my elementary teacher and I have thought of her often.
I remember her as one of my favorite teachers. I saw her years later-in my 20's, and she still said I held my pencil wrong! We laughed at that! She will always be remembered by me fondly. Blessings to you.

Nicole Werner

May 8, 2021

Mrs. Toonen was my elementary teacher and I will always remember her love of piano, hugs, walking in her skirts with tennis shoes at lunch hour, and teaching her students to say “excuse me” whenever we’d walk by her to scoot into our classroom! She was a lovely lady and an excellent teacher! May she rest forever in God’s peaceful kingdom.

John Miron

May 7, 2021

I will never forget Mrs. Toonen! She was my 3rd grade teacher at Janssen Elementary School in Combined Locks and she fostered a life-long love of reading that has truly enhanced my life in so many ways! She encouraged us to build your own library and the many books in our home attest to that! She was tough and made us toe the line, but did it with love and kindness - thanks Mrs. Toonen, you made a difference!

Stacy Courtney

May 6, 2021

I am so sorry to lose such a great friend and traveling companion. Darlene and I traveled to New Zealand, Australia, Figi Islands and Hawaii together! We worked together for many years at Janssen and Westside Schools in Kimberly. We also loved going to auctions and I remember her always bidding on piano stools! We were famous at playing crazy piano duets together! She was one of the last teachers to have a piano in her room to sing with her students. She cried when they said no more piano! It’s funny that I tried to find her just last week. I found the video we made from Hawaii which prompted my search. I no longer got a Christmas card from her, so I knew she must be somewhere away from Little Chute. Darlene and I were many years apart but she was my go to when things weren’t going my way. She had a great love for children and her family. Talked about them often! I will truly miss you Darlene. You were a true inspiration to me!!!

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