12/29/2025
PORTAGE — On December 19, 2025, angels carried Darlene’s soul safely to heaven to await Resurrection on the Last Day. (Luke 16:22) The blood of Jesus Christ, her Savior, covered all of her sins. (1 John 1:7)
Darlene Elaine Brockopp was born on September 5, 1932, in Glidden, Wisconsin, to the Rev. William and Martha Brockopp. She was baptized on September 18, 1932. Five years earlier, her father had baptized a precious baby boy who would become her husband. She was Confirmed on April 16, 1946, and her Confirmation verse, given to her by her father, was: Jesus said “…I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Darlene had two older brothers, Elroy and Eugene, and a younger brother, Daniel.
Darlene grew up in Glidden and excelled in school and church activities. After high school graduation, she worked for the Aid Association for Lutherans in Appleton, Wisconsin. On August 3, 1952, Darlene married Theodore Edward Krueger, Jr., officiated by her father. Ted and Darlene lived in Springfield, Illinois, while he attended Concordia Seminary, and Silver Creek, New York, where he completed his vicarage. After Ted was ordained, they served churches in Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada, and also Fall Creek, Marshfield, and Westfield, Wisconsin, until 1995, when they retired to Portage, Wisconsin.
Darlene and Ted were blessed with seven children, whom they sometimes referred to as olive plants around the table (Psalm 128:3): David (Louise) Krueger, Ted III (Jean) Krueger, Linda (the late Paul Jacobson) Krueger, Karla (Pastor Mark) Meier, Kathleen (the late Bob) Thalacker, Paul (Soo-Yee Lim) Krueger, and Joy (Micheal) Witkowski. They have 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. The Bible was the foundation they used for raising their family.
Darlene was an excellent cook. She and Ted always had large gardens, and she canned and froze everything she could. She was very hospitable, providing homemade soups, cookies, and many other delicious meals to family and friends who made a point of stopping by to visit during their travels. Darlene liked to sew and crochet. She loved collecting figures of angels, and blue was her favorite color.
She organized bus day trips while in Westfield, which church members enjoyed. She was actively involved in many ways within the congregations they served. She and Ted traveled to China (Bible printing facility) and Latvia (Russian broadcasting of Lutheran Hour). They became significantly involved in the early formation of the worldwide humanitarian aid organization, Orphan Grain Train.
"…Well done, good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25:21)
“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.” (Exodus 23:20)
Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Ted. Although we grieve deeply for our father and mother, we are also filled with inexpressible joy that, along with them, we will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God --- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
Visitation will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 850 Armstrong Street, Portage, on January 10, 2026, starting at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Christian celebration of life service at 11:00 am. Burial will be at Springfield Cemetery, north of Westfield, on County Road CH, near 5th Road, at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to Wisconsin Orphan Grain Train (N4993 6th Drive, Westfield, WI 53964) or St. John’s Lutheran Ministries (850 Armstrong Street, Portage, Wisconsin 53901).
Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.
