Darlene H. Pepke

Darlene H. Pepke, aged 81, went Home to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 9, 2025, under the loving care at Pine Crest in Merrill. She was born, October 28, 1944, in Port Washington, Wisconsin, the daughter of the late Edmund and Lillie (Behm) Bublitz.

A faithful servant of God, she was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church ELS in West Bend, Wisconsin and attended grade school at First Emanuel Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. After graduating from Cedarburg High School in 1962, she followed her dream by becoming a Registered Nurse and graduated from Deaconess School of Nursing in Milwaukee. She used her nurturing, skilled hands to bring countless new lives into this world as an OB Nurse at Holy Cross Hospital in Merrill. Helping to bring babies into this world was her life’s passion, having spent her entire nursing career in Merrill until her retirement in July 2007.

Darlene married the late Bruce G. Stark, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, on September 18, 1965. They resided in Merrill while they raised their three sons, Jeffrey (Nicholas), Michael (Ali), and Patrick Stark. Bruce predeceased her in September 1985.

Darlene was united in marriage to Carlon J. Pepke on May 19, 1989, at St. Stephen’s UCC, in Merrill. Together with his four children, Linda (Cary) Beran, Brenda (Brian) Hedlund, Susan (Ed) Pernsteiner, and Brad (Kathy) Pepke, they established their new life together in Merrill. Carlon preceded her in death in October 2021.

Darlene enjoyed spending time with her family. She had a passion for decorating her home for the holidays before hosting family events. As the family grew, she embraced this time together. She was an avid fan of the Brewers and Packers and enjoyed watching her son in the Marching Band at Notre Dame. In her free time, she also enjoyed knitting, playing cards, travelling to visit family and friends, and their frequent trips to the Casino.

Through her nursing career, she touched many lives. Often hearing stories about the multi-generational families she helped deliver. Her passion for nursing was contagious, sparking her niece, Brenda Krenke’s, decision to become a nurse and follow in her aunt’s footsteps.

She is survived by her children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; her sister, Beverly Schuelke; brothers-in-law, Ed (Elaine) Meline, Arlen (JoAnn) Pepke, and Gerald (Joan) Pepke; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husbands, Bruce Stark and Carlon Pepke; her parents; her brother, Dennis Bublitz; an infant sister, Rita Bublitz; mother-in-law, Margaret Stark; brother-in-law, Clyde Schuelke; sister-in-law, Arlene Meline; step-daughter, Linda Beran; step-grandson, Dillon Cannon; niece, Brenda Krenke; and several other close relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation, 903 E. Third St., from 5-7pm and Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church from 9-11am, Service to follow at Trinity Lutheran Church.

The memorial service will be live-streamed on the Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill, Facebook page.

The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Pine Crest, Aspirus Hospice Care, and Kind Hearted Home Care for their support and care that they have shown to Darlene and her family over the past four years.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation Services of Merrill are assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.