Darlene Ann Mcdonough

Darlene Ann McDonough, 78 year old resident of Janesville formerly of Waldorf died at Laurels Peak Rehabilitation Center in Mankato surrounded by her family on December 5, 2016.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 12, at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waldorf. Burial will be in St. Joseph Community Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-5 PM on Sunday, December 11, at the Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service ~ Arnoldt Chapel in Janesville. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the Mass on Monday.

Darlene Ann McDonough was born on February 18, 1938 in Waseca to Leon “Bud” and Irene (Kraske) Munsch. She grew up on a farm in rural Waldorf. Darlene was baptized as an infant at St. Joseph on the South Prairie Catholic Church and later confirmed in her Catholic faith with the very first confirmation class at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waldorf. She was a 1955 graduate of Waldorf Public School and was very proud of being crowned homecoming queen her senior year.

On July 24, 1956, Darlene was united in marriage to Mark McDonough at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Together they raised their family in Waldorf. They enjoyed 28 years of marriage prior to Marks unexpected death on July 5, 1986. Darlene later remarried Raymond Gomsrud at St. Joseph Catholic Church. They shared 21 years of marriage prior to his passing on February 16, 2011.

Darlene raised her family while working alongside her husband doing bookkeeping for “Mark’s Standard” in Waldorf. She worked at Waldorf-Pemberton Public School as the secretary and later as a bookkeeper at Waldorf Grain which she truly enjoyed. She retired from EF Johnson after 20 plus years. In retirement Darlene enjoyed time spent with Ray at their cabin on West Jefferson Lake near Cleveland, Minnesota and going on their yearly trips in the winter to warmer climates.

She was an avid flower gardener and Twins fan, never missing a game on TV. She loved baking and spending time with her old classmates but above all, her family was very important to her. She was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church until moving to Janesville when she began attending at St. Ann Catholic Church. Darlene cherished celebrating the holidays. She would always make her famous cherry Jell-O salad. Her house was notoriously clean thanks to the power of “Dawn Dish Soap”. Darlene’s Christmas’ were an extravagant event, with presents for her grandchildren overflowing her home.

Darlene is survived by her three children: Shawn of Belleville, MI, Shane (Cheri) of Waldorf, and Shanna (Larry) Lang of Waconia; grandchildren: Marcus (Mindy) McDonough, Chelsey (Brad) Van Eyll, Cole McDonough, James McDonough (special friend, Erin Shelton), and Chase Rossell (special friend, Kait Connolly); great grandchildren: Sierra and A.J. Allen.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands: Mark McDonough and Raymond Gomsrud, and her sister Mary Lou (Donald) O’Brien.