08/28/2026
Darlene Marie Slowiak
Darlene Marie Slowiak, age 75, of Lake Eau Claire, Augusta, WI passed peacefully from this earth on August 25, 2026 surrounded by the warmth & devotion of the family she spent a lifetime loving so well.
Darlene had a spirit so gentle and genuine it made others feel safe just by being near her. She created beauty with her hands and comfort with her presence. To know Darlene was to know a woman who was sweet to her core-but yet never without a little s***k.
She was gentle, kind, funny, artistic, a bit stubborn when she needed to be, and entirely herself. Darlene could make you feel loved without making a production of it, and she had a way of slipping humor into ordinary moments. That was Mom: Grounded. Wise. Hilarious. Loving. Beautiful through and through.
Darlene found happiness in simple things. She loved nature and the beauty of the world around her, creative pastimes, quiet evenings, cooking deliciousness, and most of all, having her family nearby. She didn't need elaborate plans or grand occasions. Sitting together, talking, laughing, sharing a meal, & hearing about everyone's lives was enough. She simply wanted to be with her people.
And if there was a meal to share, chances were good Darlene had a hand in making it. She was an excellent cook and the undisputed queen of pies. Her food was one of the many ways she cared for people-made with skillfully capable hands, a generous heart, and the kind of love that can't quite be written into a recipe.
Darlene was strong, though she probably would not have thought to call herself that. She worked hard, endured the toughest trials, and kept going. Her strength wasn't loud or showy; it was simply part of her-the kind that got up, did what needed doing, cared for the people she loved, & carried on.
And she loved deeply. Her people were at the heart of her life. There was a tenderness about Darlene that instantly made others feel cared for, and a bit of mischief in her that could make them laugh when they least expected it. That combination-her absolute sweetness and her little hint of sass-was all her own. If you know Jess, you see Darlene's sassy side. If you know Sar, you see the embodiment of Dar's tenderness. They are not quite carbon copies of her, but they sure did inherit her trademark qualities. So today, we are grateful for the journey of a woman who made life richer, sweeter, funnier, warmer, and better simply by being in it.
Above all, Darlene was a woman of faith. She loved the Lord, and her faith was woven quietly and steadily through the way she lived and loved. She served not for recognition or praise, but because caring for others came naturally to her. She was, in the truest sense, a good and faithful servant. Her final months asked much of her, but they do not get to define her. She had the most tender of hearts. She was a lover of nature & simple pleasures. A hardworking woman who loved her family fiercely & served others quietly. And she walked faithfully with her Lord.
For the past nine and a half years, rarely far from Darlene's side was her beloved canine BFF Rifka Sue. Riffy-her loyal companion, shadow, and friend. Their life together was made up of the quiet kind of companionship that doesn't need words: ordinary days spent side by side, familiar routines, comfort, and the simple reassurance of knowing the other was there. Riffy loved Darlene with the wholehearted devotion only a dog can give, and Darlene loved her right back. Through changing seasons and especially through the harder days, Riffy remained close, keeping watch over her person. Their bond was tender, constant, and unmistakable-a beautiful reflection of the faithfulness Darlene herself gave freely to others.
The family wishes to lift up the staff of Grace Lutheran Communities Prairie Pointe Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice for the loving care they provided Darlene and the family in her final days. Beautiful, skilled, compassionate folks, all serving with the fiber of their hearts. Special thanks to all of Mom's healthcare providers, including her Nurse Practitioner, Carly Overgard and the entire Oakleaf Endocrinology team. A deep and sincere thank you to her Primary Care Doctor/bonus daughter, Binu Philip, of Pine Grove-Oakleaf, as her skilled and devoted care through the years allowed Darlene to make even more cherished memories with all of us. What a gift.
Darlene is survived by her treasured daughters and their husbands Jessie (Rick) Podolak & Sarah (Brad) Rogers; her beloved grandchildren Hunter (Katie) Rudnick, Brendan (Madeline) Rogers; Riley Rudnick (Brandy), Kaylee Rudnick (Jupe), Camryn (Mitch) Lyons, Logan (Paige) Podolak, Grace (Noah) Rogers; and Luke Podolak (Taylor); precious great-grandchildren Ada, Cassie, Patrick, and soon to be, baby JP; her dear brother Larry (Judy) Slowiak, her cherished sisters Jan (Tom) Drehmel, and Judy (Duane) Badzinski; her sister-in-law Susan Corayo; her amazing nieces and nephews, along with their beautiful families: Shana, Shannon, Michelle, Stacey, Rhonda, Craig, Lisa, and Phillip; as well as countless deeply valued relatives and special friends who were blessed to call her theirs.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo & Loretta Slowiak; her brother, Terry Slowiak; her nephew, Michael Slowiak; her niece, Lacey Slowiak; her brother-in-law, Larry Briski; her
in-laws Frank & Ann Briski: the one who helped give her the family she loved more than anything, Jim Briski; and a true host of other cherished relatives and friends who most joyously welcomed her home.
A small Soup & Salad Soirée of close family and friends will be held to celebrate Darlene's life late afternoon on Monday, September 7, 2026 in Eau Claire, WI. Those wishing to attend can contact Jess or Sar for the details.
Honoring mom's incredible generosity, and in lieu of flowers, gifts will be donated to her favorite causes: Fierce Freedom, Feed My People Food Bank, Cadott Elementary, The American Cancer Society, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Please indicate which direction you would like your gift to go or submit a donation on your own to the cause that resonates most with you in honor of Mom.
Through the way she lived, she taught those she loved to keep going through difficult days, to lean on each other and Jesus, to trust in the Lord, and to find strength in faith when the road becomes lonely or steep. Her lessons were those of compassion, kindness, generosity, honesty, and the importance of choosing laughter over tears whenever possible. Darlene's
family will carry her with them in a thousand ordinary moments, helping each other make it through, exactly as she would have wanted-in favorite recipes, in pies that will never be quite like hers, in the beauty of nature, in family gathered around a table, and in laughter shared by the people she loved most.
There will be moments when the family feels her absence most deeply, but also moments when her love seems close enough to touch. In the quiet beauty of a familiar day, they will remember that she was here, that she loved them, and that the love she gave will continue to guide them. And they will know that, in all the ways that matter, Darlene's light will never leave them.
When her family thinks of her homecoming, they picture Darlene welcomed into the presence of the Lord-not as someone lost, but as someone finally where they were always meant to be. The pain & worries of this world are gone, every broken thing made whole, and she is surrounded by a love more beautiful than anything this life could hold. They imagine heaven's welcome: the sound of angels singing, the joy of a beloved one coming home, and the words she lived her life to hear:
Well done, well done,
My good and faithful one.
Welcome to the place where you belong.
Well done, good and faithful one. Welcome home
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