Darlene Tarrell-Bennett
March 12, 2018
Obituary
Darlene M. (Foat) Tarrell-Bennett, 91, of Platteville, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, March 12, 2018. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m on Friday, March 16, 2018 at Westview Methodist Church, Platteville. Pastor Paul Glendenning and Pastor Bill Vasey will officiate. Burial will be at Big Patch Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, or from 10:00 a.m until the time of service on Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Darlene Tarrell-Bennett Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.
Darlene was born in Gotham, WI on December 6, 1926 to James and Vera (Schliem) Foat. She attended a one-room school in Wadham's Grove, IL along with her two brothers. There were three children in her class. They walked to school every day or their father would take them to school in the bobsled pulled by two horses in the winter. After moving to another farm, Darlene graduated from Winslow High School, Winslow, IL in 1944. At this time, she decided she wanted to become a teacher so she enrolled at Platteville State Teacher's College in September of 1944. With a one-year teaching permit, she began teaching in the fall of 1945. Darlene continued her education and received her Bachelor's Degree in 1960. By attending summer school and night school, she earned her Master's Degree in 1966. Darlene's first teaching job was in Orangeville, IL. She had 25 students, one room and all eight grades.
On November 17, 1945, Darlene married Keith M. Tarrell of Platteville, WI. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Platteville. They had many wonderful friends in the area. Keith and Darlene enjoyed traveling, some of their trips included Nashville's Country Music Festival, ten countries in Europe, Norway, California, and many trips to Arizona for the winter.
After teaching in one-room schools for 15 years, Darlene was hired to teach first grade at O.E. Gray School in Platteville in 1966. She continued to teach there for 20 years. Darlene retired in 1986 from the Platteville School system. Soon she was asked to be a Student Teacher Supervisor for the University of WI – Platteville. She supervised for 12 years and then again retired in 1998, so that she and Keith could spend their winters in Arizona.
Keith passed away in 1999. Darlene decided to move to Eau Claire, WI to be with her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Darlene made friends quickly by joining a walking group and Chapel Heights Church, where she was the leader of the Dorcas Society. Darlene kept busy with the great grandchildren's school activities and also volunteered at her great grandson's school for the third grade class. She enjoyed vacations with her daughter including the Smokey Mountains, New York, Boston and Niagara Falls. Darlene had nine wonderful years being close to her family.
It was at this point in Darlene's life that she and Robert Bennett began a relationship that resulted in their marriage on October 29, 2009 that lasted until the time of her death in Platteville.
Darlene is survived by husband Robert Bennett, Platteville, and his family; daughter, Lynette Bunch, Eau Claire; grandchildren, Jeffrey Bunch and Elizabeth (Westby) Bunch, Rochester, MN, Kristin Bunch, Menomonie, WI; great grandchildren, Damon Bunch, Eau Claire, WI, Kylii Bunch, Menomonie, WI, Lincoln and Hannah Bunch, Rochester, MN; brother, Delbert Foat, Freeport, IL; sister-in-law, Normalee Foat, Silver Spring, MD; and many cousins and friends. Darlene was preceded in death by husband, Keith Tarrell; parents, Jim and Vera Foat; and brothers, Duane and Darrel Foat.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to Darlene's happy and full life, especially during her recent illness. Darlene was a wonderful, kind, caring person who will be missed by everyone.