Darlene Witte

Darlene Witte passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, on Sunday, October 16. She had faced her cancer diagnosis and treatments bravely; and kept her sense of humor throughout her illness. She repeatedly told her family and friends, “It is what it is.”

Darlene was born on August 10, 1941, in Iron Mountain, Michigan, to parents Gunard and Genevieve (Pinkart) Olson. After the family relocated to Middletown, Ohio, Darlene attended grades 1-8 at St. John’s School, and graduated from Bishop Fenwick High School in 1960. Following high school, she enrolled in the Mercy School of Nursing in Springfield, Ohio, where she earned her LPN degree. She took several years off from nursing to be a stay-at-home mother; but, over the course of her career, she worked in the offices of Dr. Roy Fassler, Dr. T.C. Benseler, Dr. George Kaiser, and Dr. Charles Hanshaw.

Darlene was a member of Holy Family Parish, where she donated her time and talents as a member of the Gardening Angels, the funeral choir, and the bereavement luncheon committee. She also sewed and stitched infant bibs for parish Baptisms. She was an avid reader, gardener, and seamstress. She made clothes for her children and other family members. She excelled at counted cross stitch and created beautiful Christmas stockings for her children and grandchildren. She attended the Tuesday evening group at the Stitching Cottage in Centerville for many years. Darlene also enjoyed her monthly all-day card games with dear friends.

Darlene and her husband of 59 years, Raymond F. Witte, enjoyed spending winters in Venice, Florida, and spending time with friends in Pentwater, Michigan. They vacationed for many years with extended family members in Oak Island, North Carolina. She also enjoyed cruising, and took trips to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Alaska. She will be greatly missed by her immediate family, and the entire Witte family, which she joined in 1963. She will be forever remembered in their many “Darlene” stories that she always took in stride and with great humor.

In addition to her husband, Raymond, Darlene is survived by a daughter, RaeAnne Witte of Middletown; son Jeff (Vicki) Witte of West Chester, and their children, Addison Quintilian, Payton Quintilian, and Mason Witte; and son, Thomas (Ginna) Witte of Cincinnati, and their children, Linnea and Joseph Witte. She was preceded in death by her brother, Tom Olson, and a beloved aunt, Ann Dawson of Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

A Memorial Mass will be held Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 11:00 am at Holy Family Parish - St. John Church, 1405 First Ave, Middletown, with Father Paul Gebhardt as celebrant. There will be a Gathering of Family & Friends on Wednesday evening, the 26th, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd (at Bonita Dr.), Middletown.

Prior to her death, Darlene asked that donations be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society, c/o Holy Family Parish, 201 Clark Street, Middletown, Ohio 45042, in lieu of flowers.