Darlene Wurl, 94, a lifelong resident of Pleasant Street in Tomahawk, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 at Tomahawk Health Services.
Darlene was born in Tomahawk on Sunday, Jan. 31, 1926 to George “Pud” and Alice (Johnson) Morren. Darlene attended Tomahawk Public Schools, graduating second in her class in 1944. She attended Central State Teachers College in Stevens Point, where she earned a Three Year Teaching Certificate in 1948. When that school became part of the University system, Darlene earned her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in the summer of 1966, with a major in Intermediate-Upper Elementary Education through classes taken on weekends, evenings, and in summer sessions. In addition, she did graduate study at UW-SP and UW-Madison, including a summer session at Lund, Sweden.
Darlene worked the summer of 1943 at Quality Hardware & Machine Corp., where she drilled holes in the receivers of Baby Garand rifles. After graduation from THS, she worked for the US Government in the local War Price & Rationing Board office in 1944-45; worked at National Container Corp in Accounting; did part time stenographic work for the Clerk of the City of Tomahawk and for several staff members at the UW-SP. Her main career was as a teacher in the Tomahawk Joint School District, spending 18 years as special education instructor and seven years in elementary classes, the final five years in third grade. She was involved in the Great Books and Project Charlie programs and served on district committees. Darlene retired in 1988.
Wallace “Red” Wurl and Darlene were married on Nov. 27, 1948 at Grace Lutheran Church in Tomahawk. They moved to a home just across the street from her parents and later built a home just down the street, enabling her to say she all of her life on the same street. She was a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church and had served on the church council, sang in the choir for nearly 50 years, and served on many committees. Dar was also active in countless community organizations too numerous to mention.
Darlene is survived by her children, Jon Wurl of Mariposa, Calif.; Julie Wurl-Koth of Tomahawk; Mark (Julie Thies) Wurl of Madison; and Pete (Lynn) Wurl of Tomahawk. She is further survived by seven grandchildren, Josh, Sarah, Lauren, Taj, Ben, Emma, and Eli, and eight great-grandchildren, Jacob, Jared, Jillian, Giovanna, Jackson, Olivia, Marcus, and Arlo. Dar is also survived by a brother, George “Sambo” Morren and a sister, Dorothy Kind, both of Tomahawk.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband – Red, daughter –Suze (Ed Fenske), two brothers, infant – Robert and Lawrence “Louie” Morren and a grandson – Jerome Karl.
Due to COVID-19, there will be a private family celebration of Darlene’s life held at the Krueger Family Funeral Home, Tomahawk. A public memorial Service will be announced next summer at Grace Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be made to the Tomahawk Library or Tomahawk Historical Society.
Krueger Family Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family. You may view the obituary and share online condolences at www.kruegerfamilyfuneral.com.