Darlene Wallerich, 78, died peacefully at home in Lake City on Saturday, October 30, 2021. Mom was surrounded by her family who will continue to honor her legacy of faith, family, and friends.

Mom was the daughter of Edward and Bernice Witt of Lake City. She was a 1961 graduate of Lincoln High School. She married our dad, Donald Wallerich, in 1963. They farmed on Pepin Hill where Mom loved being outdoors bailing hay, gardening, mowing, and snowmobiling. We loved finding Mom pulling hot cookies or bread out of the oven when we got home from school. She was always eager to hear about our day. Mom and Dad had a special "giddy" relationship, and they taught us how to love and keep our marriages and families our top priority.

Mom loved her work as the City Clerk/Treasurer for the City of Wabasha where she was employed for 26 years. She held Certified Municipal Clerk endorsements from the State of Minnesota, as well as from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. After retirement, she started and operated Primrose Cottage, a small boutique, in Lake City.

Mom lived a very active lifestyle. She had many friends from all walks of life, and she enjoyed spending time with them traveling, attending plays, indulging in good food and wine, and playing cards. Mom loved cheering her grandkids on at their school and sporting events. She enjoyed spending part of her winters in Alabama, working in her flower beds, going to garage sales, decorating for Christmas, hitting the beach, jumping on scary rollercoasters, and volunteering at St. John's Church and Wise Penny in Red Wing.

Mom's adventurous spirit spanned several continents taking her to Africa, Europe, South America, and Australia. She loved telling stories about her African safari, as well as her favorite journeys to Costa Rica, Egypt, Italy, Turkey, and Alaska.

Mom's family meant everything to her. She is survived by her five children, Darla (Wally) Wallerich-Carlson of Theilman, Denise (Rodney) Bartsh of Plainview, Darin (Tina) Wallerich of Lake City, Dedra (Dan) Tentis of Palm Harbor, FL, and Dionne Severson of Eau Claire, WI. She is survived by her 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, her sister, Mary (Bill) Doty of Lake City, and her nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and many friends.

Mom was preceded in death by our dad, Donald, her son-in-law, Steve Severson, her parents Ed and Bernice Witt, her brother, Laverne Witt, her sister, Ardelle Dohrn, and her nephew, Terry Dohrn.

A visitation will take place at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lake City on Saturday, November 6 at 9:00am followed by an 11:00am funeral service with Pastor Nathan Cordes officiating. Burial services will be private for immediate family, but a lunch will be served for all in the church basement following the service. Memorial donations may be sent to St. John's Lutheran School at 520 West Chestnut Street in Lake City.