Darlene Theresa Gordon

Darlene Theresa Gordon, 91, of Waterloo, passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at The Glenwood at Mulberry in Whitewater.

Darlene was born on December 16, 1933, the daughter of Fred and Frieda (Kohn) Balmer. She married James Gordon on December 26, 1959, and the couple enjoyed 33 years of marriage before his passing in 1993. Darlene was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waterloo for many years. She taught Elementary School in Marshall for over 38 years. She was a member of the National Education Association, Wisconsin Education Association, Stoughton Area Retirement Teachers Association, and the Marshall Area Retirement Educators Association. Darlene had a heart of gold; she was always happy and had a smile on her face. In her free time, she enjoyed spoiling her many cats, going to lunch with her friends, getting her hair done, going places with her granddaughter Jenny, and traveling to visit distant relatives in Georgia and Switzerland. Above all she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Darlene is survived by her grandson Kevin (Lindsay) Radloff, granddaughter Jamie (Thom) Hellenbrand, and sister Carol (Darrell) Lange, sister-in-law Judy Balmer, and relatives in Georgia and Switzerland. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Julie Radloff, son Jimmy in infancy, granddaughter Jennifer Radloff, and siblings Beatrice Holzhueter, Bernadine Hensler, Mary Jeffson, and Frederick Balmer.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waterloo with Rev. Robert Moberg presiding. Visitation will take place at the church from 10:00am until the time of service. Burial will follow the service at Oak Hill Cemetery in Waterloo.

Memorials in Darlene’s honor to the Jefferson County Humane Society or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church would be appreciated.

A special thanks to all the staff at Glenwood at Mulberry for their amazing care and support of Darlene till her last breaths. Also thank you to Rainbow Hospice for ensuring Darlene was comfortable and supported.

“A teacher affects eternity; she can never tell where his influence stops”