Darlene Mae Costello

Darlene Mae Costello (Dar) died in Stillwater, Minnesota, on April 15th, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. She had recently returned from her winter home in Surprise, Arizona. She had been spending winters in Arizona for over 25years,staying warm and spending time withher sister, brothers, and her many nieces and nephews.

Darlene was born in Crookston, Minnesota, to Chester and Mabel (Jensen) Larson. Dar was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, where her father was the head chef at Miller Hospital. Her mother was in charge of the home and the family restaurant, where Darlene and her sister waitressed long hours and graciously cared for customers.Though Darlene was from a family of chefs and restaurant owners she was a picky eater. Some of her earliest memories were of being forced to remain at the dinner table, refusing to eat her vegetables. Here she must have perfected her famous stubbornness.

Darlene moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin where shestarted her career with the Federal Milk Market Administration in Appleton, WI. Darlene was a hard-working, pragmatic woman. It was at the Federal Milk Market that she met Phil Costello. Darlene and Phil Costello were married in 1974 in west suburban Chicago. Phil gained a wife. Darlene gained a husband andthree (step) sons, Pat, Kevin, and Mike. Phil and the sons definitely got the better end of the deal. Phil and Darlene commuted together to the Milk Market office first in downtown Chicago, and then Glen Ellyn, Il from their Woodridge, Ilhome until Darretired in 1988; then they immediately moved to northern Wisconsin.

Darlene and Phil built a home on North Twin Placid Lake west of Woodruff, WI. The lake was the center of summer fun for family and friends. Darlene was the good natured, quick-witted, and the humble heartbeat of the home. She did it all. Her opinions were sought, her advice followed. She took care of the house, inside and out. Darlene enjoyed reading, discussing politics and current events, playing the family favorite card game of Liverpool, and volunteering at her church's thrift shop "The Attic.” She tolerated scalloped potatoes baked with hotdogs instead of ham, a favorite of Phil and the boys. The only thing she didn’t do was go in the water. She was only seen in the lake once, and then only briefly.That said, Dar loved the lake home and considered it her home until her death.

Darlene was a kind, intelligent, informed, funny, pragmatic, tolerant, stubborn person who earned the respect and love of those who knew her. She had many opinions, but had them without trampling on others. If she didn’t have something nice to say, she wouldn’t say anything at all.

She is survived by her brother Kenneth Larson, sister Arlyss Dryer, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her three (step) sons Patrick (Bonnie) Costello, Kevin Costello (life companion Bonnie Bakke), & Michael Costello; her (step) grandchildren Megan (Anthony Gostanian) Costello, Brent (Allison) Costello & Kathryn Costello; and her (step) great-granddaughter Eleanor Costello.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Chester Larson, and her husband Philip Costello.

It is with deep appreciation that the family wishes to thank Lisa Burke and the staff of A la Carte Care in Woodruff, WI who provided loving care and companionship that enabled Dar to live in her home until moving to her winter residence in Arizona in the fall of 2018. Above all since Phil’s death, Marcie Ahmann was not only her best friend and companion, but a faithful advocate who cared for Dar like a sister. Without Marcie’s support, in both Minocqua and Arizona, Dar wouldhave been unable to enjoy her final years living independently. The family cannot adequately thank Marcie for her care for Dar.

A Celebration of Life is planned at Nimsgern’s Funeral home, 1025 Margaret St, Woodruff WI on Saturday, July 6th at 1.30pm with a reception and light refreshments to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dar’s name can be made to the Lakeland Food Pantry, PO Box 470, Woodruff, WI 54568.

“Unable are the loved to die for love is immortality.” –Emily Dickinson
“Breathing is hard, but it is worth it.” – Darlene Costello, April 2019