Darlene Kay Lohse was born on September 8, 1935, in Valparaiso, Indiana, to Peter and Thelma (Wood) Berkoski.  She went to her heavenly home on November 10, 2019, and was preceded in death by her parents.

Darlene grew up in the Valparaiso area, where her parents farmed in several locations.  She attended the Valparaiso area public schools, and upon graduation from high school in 1953, accepted employment in the Admissions Office of Valparaiso University.  In was during this time that she met a Valparaiso University student, Al Lohse, and after a brief courtship, they were united in marriage on October 22, 1955 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.

When Al accepted a job at Illinois Bell Telephone, and was assigned to its revenue office in the Chicago Loop, they moved into Chicago.  Their first son, Brian, was born in Chicago.  The inner city life, as contrasted to Darlene and Al's farm upbringing, was not to their liking, and they returned to Valparaiso when Al quit his Illinois Bell Telephone employment and accepted a position with Continental Diamond Fiber back in Valparaiso.  Their second son, Stuart, was born in Valparaiso.  In 1960, when Continental Diamond Fiber was moving to Delaware, Al found employment in Orlando, Florida, with the Martin Marietta Defense company, and the family moved to Orlando in 1960.  Darlene remained at home, raising their children.  Son after Al's retirement, they moved to their current home in Clermont, Florida, and became faithful members of the Woodlands Lutheran Church, in nearby Montverde, Florida.

Darlene enjoyed sewing, gardening, and flower arranging, as she tended to her husband and children.  She was a member of the Windermere Garden Club since 1980, and did serve as its President in the earlier years.  She was a volunteer at South Lake Hospital in Clermont for 18 years.  In the recent year she became enamored with the art of quilting, and finished many small projects, with the hope of expanding this new interest in the future.

During their years of retirement, Darlene and Al traveled extensively, and enjoyed the "education for seniors" program, now called Road Scholar.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Al Lohse, Clermont, FL, two sons, Brian (Deborah) Lohse, Ocoee, FL, and Stuart Lohse, Winter Garden, FL, two brothers, Roger (Earline) Berkoski, Cantril, IA, and Loren (Joyce) Berkoski, Grand Rapids, MN.  Additional survivors are four grandchildren, John, Kevin, Kristen, and Joshua, five great-grandchildren, Tyler, Tristan, Tinsley, Harrison and Abigail, and many nieces and nephews.

To this obituary, we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Darlene.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that memorial gifts be directed to Woodlands Lutheran Church, Montverde, FL, Youth With A Mission of Orlando, Montverde, FL, or to the cause of your choice.