Darlene Gertrude Zittlow, age 79, of Little Rapids, passed into Eternal Life on Saturday, April 29th as she held the hand of her devoted husband, Donald. Her death was the result of pancreatic cancer that was diagnosed just days before her passing. Darlene was born on June 15, 1937 to Sylvester Van Vonderen and his wife, the former Caroline Otto. Darlene was raised in West De Pere and graduated from Nicolet High School in 1955. She married Donald Zittlow on May 22, 1960. She soon began her on the job training, and with the tutelage of her mother-in-law, Elsie Zittlow, learned the trade of being a farmer's wife. Both Darlene and Don were long term active members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Wrightstown.

Darlene and Don raised 5 children. Survivors include: Scott, Suamico; Beth and Marty Coel, Howard and their children Matt and Kaylee; Todd and Kristanya, St. Peter's, MO, and their children, Skyler and Kathryn, Michael and Becky, Denmark and their children Brandon and Samantha; and Niki and Anthony Cappelle, Greenleaf, and their son, Jules. She is also survived by her sister Marilyn and her husband Eric Nelson, Celina, OH and brother Les Van Vonderen and his wife Peggy Welsh.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, Ed and Elsie Zittlow, her grandparents John and Ella (Redlin) Otto and Frank and Annie (Smits) Van Vonderen.

Darlene's great loves were her faithful husband and their families. Don always said that there was never a dull moment being married to Darlene. Her quick wit was as natural as her smile. She brought laughter to card games and play festivals. She was silly, spunky, stubborn and often irreverent. She was "Ma Z" to a generation of 4-Hers. She was dedicated to all Fox Valley Lutheran music events. And, she held court in the dairy barn at the county fair. She was often the last person to leave a social event.

Services will be held on Thursday, May 4th At St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, 437 Turner St., Wrightstown. Visitation from 10:00 am to 12:45 pm followed by the church service at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for St. John’s School Scholarship fund.
The family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to all of the staff on the 5th floor at St. Mary’s Hospital.