Darlene Jean Zak (74) of Brownstown

Darlene Jean Zak, 74, passed away on Monday, December 19th at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, IL. from an ongoing illness.

United in marriage on December 31, 1986 in Lombard, IL. to Paul E. Zak, they have resided in Brownstown, IL for over 18 years. Dar was a chosen daughter of Harvey Clifford Wickersham and Dorothy Bertha Boehning Wickersham through adoption shortly after her birth. She was born January 8, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois. While attending Lake View High School in Chicago, Dar was active in swimming & track; excelling in the high jump. She also loved roller-skating & roller derby.

Darlene is survived by her loving husband; three children; Kimberly Annette (nee Jarosz) Grier (Joel), Swisher, IA.; Richard Wilhelm Ferdinand Jarosz, DeKalb, IL.; and Erin Christine (nee McKirchy) Reaves (James), Kingston, IL.; three step-sons; Christopher Paul Zak, Palatine, IL.; Phillip Richard Zak, Bethlehem, PA.; and Kyle Thomas Zak, Cameron, Mo.; seven grandchildren; Elizabeth Leigh (nee Grier) Goetz (Benjamin), Cedar Rapids, IA.; Lauren Kimberly Grier (Bailey Murphy), Oskaloosa, IA.; Andrew Richard Gee, El Mirage, AZ; Sean Robert Rowley, Janesville, WI; Garrett Ryan Rowley, DeKalb, IL; Miranda Kyleen Wallace-Zak, Cameron, MO.; Meraki Kara Wallace-Zak, Cameron, MO.; great-grandson, Sebastian Z. Rowley, Dexter, GA.; sister, Sandra Kay (nee Wickersham) Carlson (Thomas), Glencoe, IL.; niece & great-niece, Kristin Kim (nee Carlson) Blair & Kayt Carlson Blair, Glencoe, IL.; niece, Karin Elizabeth (nee Carlson) Wojtanowicz (Robert), Austin, TX.; and nephew, Erik Thomas Carlson, Glencoe, IL.; sister-in-law, Teresa Marie Lampl, Wonderlake, IL.; and many nieces & nephews.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; her father & mother-in-law, Edward & Helen Zak; brother-inlaw, Michael Lampl; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins from up north in the Marshfield & Tigerton, WI. and Chicago, IL., area.

As a professional office administrator, Darlene’s organizational skills & typing speed were second-to-none. She was highly regarded for her attention to detail, expertise, and loyalty. Dar loved to volunteer & organize events for the groups she spent time with; YSP; auctioning; and Bike Club. She rode motorcycles until she was not physically able to - traveling with Paul across country seeing the sights, camping, and being together. Dar jumped all-in when she found a passion – enjoying her grandchildren; doting on her pets; collecting frogs & wolves; ceramics; sewing; needlework; quilting; cooking; playing Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, and Dominos; and quilt store shop hopping. She is greatly missed, fondly remembered, and forever in our hearts!

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Liberty Christian Church, rural Brownstown with Rev. Clayton Richison officiating. Memorials may be directed to the family. Gieseking Funeral Home, Brownstown is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.