Darlene Bushmaker

Darlene Rosalie (Grose) Bushmaker, aged 82, passed away on November 19, 2024, in Harlingen, Texas. She was born on April 12, 1942, in Waseca, Minnesota, to Melvin and Hazel Grose.

Darlene received her early education in Waseca and graduated from Janesville Public Schools in 1960. She furthered her studies at Mankato State College, where she earned her degree in 1965.

On March 29, 1969, Darlene married Keith A. Bushmaker. She began her professional career as an art teacher in the Stevens Point School system for one year, later dedicating twenty-three years to teaching at Port Edwards Public Schools in Wisconsin. Her passion for the outdoors greatly influenced her artwork, capturing the beauty of nature in her creations.

In 2016, Darlene made the decision to leave Wisconsin for the warmer winters of Texas, relocating to be closer to her sister and brother-in-law in Harlingen. There, she continued to express her artistic talents, engaging in stained glass work and painting the landscapes of the tropical environment, along with creating wool hooked rugs, Santa Clauses, and crewel embroidery. Darlene cherished life, her family, and the many friends she made throughout her journey.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Keith Bushmaker. Darlene is survived by her sister, Jodie Pollock (Chuck) and their children, Kendra Pollock and Anna Pollock; her sister, Lois Roemhildt and her children, Kandi Roemhildt, Chad Roemhildt (Lori), Kelly Wilcox (Jack), Keather Roemhildt; her sister, Robin Fleiner (David); her nephew and godson, Shane Brozowski (Cheyenne); her brother, Kevin Grose (Debi) and their children, Joshua Gorse, Wyatt Grose, Chelsea Singlestd (Kurt); and sister-in-law, Nancy Grose and her children Erikka Demuth (John) and Gregg Grose.

“Though we traveled the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry with us, or we find it not.” Ralph Emerson