Darlene Fae (Paquet) Rokusek of Kenosha went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, November 28th, 2022 at the age of 84. She was born in L’Anse, Michigan in the home of her grandmother who delivered her. Darlene attended L’Anse schools, graduating in 1956, where she was secretary of her class and drum majorette. She attended Moody Bible Institute where Darlene met her dear husband, Ken Rokusek. They married in 1959 and lived in Cicero, Arlington Heights and Rockford, Illinois before moving to Kenosha in 1969.
She was the “Energizer Bunny” of the family, though reduced since the car accident 5 years ago, when she cared for her paralyzed husband with great love.
Darlene loved children and taught at Kiddie Kollege Nursery School and kindergarten at Christian Life School. She created Grandma school, taught Sunday school and was a volunteer tutor to children in need. Most of all she loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taking delight in them and playing with them.
Darlene loved God deeply, serving Him for many years as a Care Group co-leader at Journey Church, doing life together, teaching others to walk with Jesus, rejoicing and grieving on the road of life. She was passionate about the Bible, serving many years in the Gideon’s Auxiliary where she passed out Bibles to everyone she met, in restaurants, at school graduations, hospitals, even when in the emergency room. She did this happily even at the end with cancer. It gave her great joy.
Darlene loved others deeply. She was a friend to the friendless, befriending immigrants and the lonely. She was the rare person who could strike up a conversation with a stranger in line and become lifelong friends. Darlene was deeply engaged with her Red Hat group, bringing practical jokes, gifts, games and recognition of birthdays.
Darlene loved veterans. She worked as an Activity Director and chaplain for many years at the Dayton Residential Care Home, bringing fun, games, gifts and services where she brought in speakers and musicians to share God’s love. Darlene loved the helpless, being a guardian and advocate for those needing help.
Darlene was adventurous and fun. She had a long history of playing practical jokes. She went down waterslides and rollercoasters into her 70s!
Darlene is with her husband Ken and daughter Colleen in heaven and is survived by her children Dan and Becky as well as her 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Journey Church in Kenosha (10700 – 75th Street) on Saturday, January 7th at 2:00 pm. A visitation will be held from 12:30-2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Memorials can be given to The Gideons International and Moody Bible Institute. Revelation 2:10 Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life…
