Our sweet mom, Darlene Franklin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 13, 2017 with her family by her side.
Darlene was born Aug. 6, 1926 in Mineral Point, the daughter of Will and Clara (McCarville) Schaaf.  She graduated from Mineral Point High School in 1944. 
On Nov. 4, 1950, Darlene married Mel Franklin in Mineral Point. They resided in Darlington, until 1969 when due to a job transfer, they moved to Berlin.  Darlene started with Wisconsin Telephone Company as a switchboard operator and retired in 1980 after 30 years of service.
Darlene was active in the Telephone Pioneers of America, delivered Meals on Wheels, was a member of All Saints Catholic Church (formerly St. Joseph’s) of Berlin and was the housekeeper at St. Joseph’s for many years. 
Darlene loved to golf, play cards, bowl, and find the perfect bargain at rummage sales and thrift shops.  What she will be remembered for most, however, is her love for God, her family, and her love and concern for others. Darlene was kind, honest, hard working, generous and always gracious.  She was always thinking of and doing for others.  Her caring actions and kind words touched many hearts.  She taught her daughters strong values of honesty, integrity and compassion and gave them a strong faith foundation.  She was also the perfect, classic grandma – made you feel like you were the most important person in the world and let you do and have what mom and dad wouldn’t!  You could hear her voice light up when talking on the phone – “Well hello dearie!”  Her chocolate chip cookies were legendary and she always made sure there were plenty on hand.  She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren immensely. 
Special thanks to Marcia and the Wednesday card-playing girls, her “mailman” Harold, her dinner table buddies Shirley and Joan, her many close friends, and the compassionate and caring staff of Patriot Place.  Thank you for the laughter and joy you brought to her life.  Mom loved you all.
The family would also like to thank Dr. Budde, and Agnesian Hospice Hope staff for their compassionate assistance and support.
Loved ones that will miss Darlene are her three daughters and son-in-laws, Debby (Bill) Barnes of Sun Prairie, Karen (Bill) Mirr of Berlin and Patti (Mike) Horn of Berlin; eight grandchildren, Leslie Anne (Jeremy) Deuchars, Kevin (Lindsay) Barnes, Abby (Cory) Bosben, John (Kelly) Mirr, Sarah Mirr, Chris Dolata (Anne Pawlacyk), Corey Horn, Jenna Horn; five great-grandchildren, Kaelan and Graham Deuchars, Emma and Brianna Barnes, Henry Mirr; and son-in-law Ernie Osheim. 
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Mel; her parents; daughters Kathy Franklin and Corrine Osheim; brothers Ed, Francis, Don and William (Cactus) Schaaf; a sister Rita Whitford; sister-in-laws Dorothy, Bonnie, Annabell and Pat Schaaf; and brother-in-law Paul Whitford.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, May 17 at 10:30 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church of Berlin where Rev. Monsignor Douglas Dushack officiated.  Burial followed in the Saint Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery of Berlin.
Relatives and friends visited and paid their respect to Darlene and her family on Tuesday, May 16 from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Wiecki-Skipchak Funeral Home of Berlin where a Parish Rosary was recited at 6:30 p.m. and were able to call at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 17 from 9-10 a.m. before they left for the services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to All Saints Catholic Church or Agnesian Hospice Hope.