Darlene Joyce Richards (nee: Litzell) passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 16th, at the Kinnic Nursing Home in River Falls, WI. 

Darlene was born to Bernard Litzell & Eleanor (Gunderson-Dahlberg) on September 15th, 1933 in Duluth, MN. She spent most of her childhood in Spring Valley, WI where she attended Spring Valley schools, graduating with the class of 1951. 

On March 15th, 1951 she was united into marriage with Raymond Richards. They were blessed with 4 children Steve, Debra, Ronald and Jodine “Jody”. They raised their children in the River Falls area. In 1973 they moved to a farm home on highway 29 in River Falls. It was there that Darlene’s passion for gardening and canning began. They spent many years on the farm before moving to a lake home in Amery, WI in 1991. 

During her working career she spent many years at Armors in St. Paul, Mn. and 15 years at Nor-Lake, Inc in Hudson, WI, where she was affectionately known as “Ma”. Darlene is described best as a hard working woman with a love of chocolate, gardening, knitting, crochet, bowling, canning and spending many weekends playing poker with her children and later grandchildren. 

Darlene is survived by her children Steven (Beverly) Richards of Turtle Lake, WI., Debra (Gary) Vindal of Hudson, WI., Ronald of Mellen, WI., Jody (Mark) Suchy of Hastings, MN. Her grandchildren Lori (Jamie) Dezern, Jennifer (Brett) Slunaker, Lisa (Tom) Christensen, Michele (Travis) Bonse, Jeff (Rebecca) Grinnell, Jacky (Paul) Smith, Abby (Edwin) Sutton. 14 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. Brother David (Barb) Litzell, sister-in-law Cindy Litzell and many other family and friends.

Darlene is preceded in death by her husband Ray, infant son, parents, brothers Donald Litzell and Darwin “Hap” Litzell, niece Elizabeth “Lizzy” Litzell. 7 sister-in-laws and 4 brother-in-laws. 

Visitation will be held Thursday March 24th from 1pm-3pm  at O’Connell Funeral home in River Falls, WI. The Funeral will be immediately following the visitation.  Burial will be following the funeral at the Greenwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Lori Dezern, Jennifer Slunaker, Lisa Christensen, Jeff Grinnell, Abby Sutton and Ashley Wolff.

Memorials are preferred to the discretion of the family. Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of River Falls.