Darlene Watson, 79, Green Bay, passed away peacefully following a long hospital stay on December 26, 2023, with her family at her side.  The daughter of Willis and Gladys (Flesch) Roark was born April 2, 1944, in Great Falls, MT.

Darlene grew up in Oilmont, MT where she graduated from Oilmont High School. On September 7, 1963, she married James (Jim) Watson at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Sunburst, MT. She met Jim in Montana while he was stationed in the Air Force.  They moved to Wisconsin, where Jim grew up, and spent most of their years in Crivitz.  Darlene stayed home with her children while they were young, then worked a variety of jobs until she found her true calling, working as a counselor for Brown County Mental Health Center for several years until retirement in 2009. They eventually relocated to Green Bay, where Darlene enjoyed crocheting gifts for her family and her parish. She loved going with Jim to their cabin in Michigan to fish, especially when the grandkids and friends would join them. Keeping in touch with friends and family was her priority.

Survivors include her loving husband of 60 years, James; three children: Vicki (Trevor) Vannieuwenhoven, Tracy (Kevin) Tachick and Crystal (Scott) Sprecher; eight grandchildren: Branden (Abbey) Tachick, Ryan (Miranda) Tachick, Tanner, and Hunter Vannieuwenhoven, Tatum (Luke) VandenHeuvel, Brock, Rachel, and Lucas Sprecher; two great-grandchildren: Harrison and Luella Tachick; sister: Rebecca (JP) Tracy; sisters-in-law: Teri (Mark) Standiford,  and Debby (Tom) Holterman, brother-in-law: Bob (Linda) Watson.  She is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Gladys; stepfather, Harold Dietrich; in-laws, Ray and Rose Watson; siblings: Louis, Leslie, LaVern, and Marilyn; and their infant daughter, Sonja Mary.

Friends are invited to gather with family at Ss. Edward and Isidore Parish, 3667 Flintville Rd, Suamico, on Friday, January 5, from 9 a.m.  until 12 noon. The Funeral Mass will take place at 12 noon, with Fr. David Hoffman presiding. Interment will be in Glenwood Memorial Gardens, Marinette, on Monday, January 8, at 10 a.m.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary's Hospital and the Unity Hospice Team for their outstanding care.

Online condolences may be offered to Darlene's family at www.marnochafuneralhome.com or on the Marnocha Funeral Home Facebook page.