Darlene "Dolly" Mary Tanck

Darlene “Dolly” Mary Tanck, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on June 4, 2026, at the age of 72. Born on January 21, 1954, in Merrill, Wisconsin, to Geno and Florence Bosi. 

Dolly was the proud owner of Dolly's Daycare, where she dedicated herself to caring for children and babies from 1991 until her retirement in 2026. She loved every moment spent with the kids, filling her daycare with laughter and warmth. Beyond her professional life, Dolly was a creative spirit. She enjoyed baking—Saturdays were reserved for this passion, along with cleaning—and made cards for every occasion, bringing joy to her family with her thoughtful creations. 

A homebody, Dolly found happiness in gardening, sewing, knitting, and all the "Grandma hobbies" that she so loved. She was happiest during family gatherings, where her homemade wine was always a hit. Dolly had a special fondness for camping trips with her family and was known for her spring and fall cleaning rituals. 

Dolly treasured her time with her late husband, Lonnie Tanck, whom she married on April 17, 1971. Their bond was unshakable, and she missed him dearly after his passing on January 21, 2024. Together, they created a loving home filled with warmth and laughter. 

Dolly is survived by her daughters, Toni (Cory Wilk) Smith and Brenda (Brian) Burkhardt; her grandchildren, Brittany (Christian) Steinke, Logan (Kaylee) Smith, Vanessa Smith, Matthew Burkhardt, and Elizabeth Burkhardt; great-grandchildren Ava, Marjorie, and River; her mother-in-law, Anna Tanck; and her siblings, Jean Goodell, Nancy Drew, Kathy Iwen, and Karen (Brian) Grund, along with many nieces and nephews. 

Dolly is preceded in death by her loving husband Lonnie, her parents, her in-laws Al Tanck, Joyce and Alvin Goestch, and her brothers-in-law Francis "Lefty" Goodell, Arthur Drew, and Russell Iwen. 

The funeral service will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Merrill on June 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM, with a public visitation taking place at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation, 301 Eagle Dr. Merrill, Wisconsin, that same day from 10:00 AM until 12:30 PM. . 

In honor of Dolly’s vibrant spirit and loving nature, her family encourages everyone to remember her by embracing joy in their lives. As she always said, “Be Happy.”

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com