Darlene Selma Burch (Radloff) of Mesa, AZ, passed away on July 30, 2019 at the age of 87. Darlene was born in Cecil, Wisconsin on May 26, 1932 to Edward and Marie Radloff and was raised on a dairy farm near Bonduel, Wisconsin.
She graduated from Bonduel High School in 1950 and worked at the Pauly Cheese Company in nearby Zachow. In 1961 she moved to Arizona and worked at a few retail stores before attending a technical college to become a Reservations Agent for Republic/NW Airlines, working for the airlines until 1984. She was married to Eugene Burch in 1974 and together they traveled to see the world and also family in Wisconsin, Oregon and Alaska.
Darlene was a very creative and talented artist. She enjoyed spending her spare time creating artwork with watercolors, painting everything from slate roof tile to quilting boards and to the canvas, reflecting the beauty in nature, flowers, animals, mountains, oceans and deserts. One of her favorite items to paint was lighthouses, representing the kind, guiding nature and shining light of hope that Darlene reflected with her friends and family.
Darlene’s faith was very important to her. She and Gene were founding members of Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa where they were very active in church activities. Darlene and Gene made most all the white Christmas tree ornaments and Darlene organized decorating of the church and altar for most holidays until just this year. She also coordinated and produced the church newsletter, was a Greeter, participated in monthly birthday lunches, sang in the choir, volunteered for the Altar Guild, was a member of Naomi Circle and joyfully helped with events and ceremonies with her Christian sisters. She truly was a servant of God’s kingdom.
Friends and family describe Darlene as the most caring, sweetest person in their lives and the best listener ever. She was always there to help support the needs of those she loved. She had a great sense of humor and was not intimidated by technology, using computers for making Hallmark greeting cards, paying bills, Skyping and emailing her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and family.
Darlene is preceded in death by her husband, Gene, her two older sisters, Leona Genke (Radloff), and Lorraine Busch (Radloff) and one niece, Sandra Hohn (Genke) of Wisconsin. She is survived by five nieces and nephews who were very close to her: Brenda Bronold (Genke) (Wisconsin, husband Bob), Daniel Busch (Alaska, wife Randy), Tamra Busch-Johnsen (Oregon, husband Mack), Bradley Busch (Wisconsin, wife Mary) and Jeffrey Busch (Oregon, wife Robyn).
Please join us in celebrating her life on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at Love of Christ Lutheran Church 1525 North Power Road in Mesa with the service conducted by Pastor Stephen Talmage and a luncheon to follow. In memory of Darlene and in lieu of flowers, please contribute a Memorial Gift to Love of Christ Lutheran Church. Darlene was laid to rest on Friday, August 2, 2019 at Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery at 7900 East Main St. in Mesa.