Darlene J. Muellner, 88, Kewaunee, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. She was born in Chicago, IL on March 3, 1938, to the late William and Violet (Conrad) Borjes. Darlene married Kurt F. Muellner on May 5, 1956, in River Grove, IL. He preceded her in death on November 21, 2010.

Darlene graduated from Steinmetz High School one year early at the age of seventeen years old. Darlene and Kurt married young, and she started as a homemaker in Franklin Park, IL. As the children grew older, she then became a part-time secretary at Triton College in River Grove, IL. While working at Triton College, she was able to earn her associate degree. She worked her way up to the position of Associate Dean at Triton College. While continuing to work at Triton, she went on to earn her bachelor's degree at Elmhurst College. She later earned her MBA at Dominican University in River Forest, IL. All these college achievements took place in the 1980's. She was the Associate Dean at Triton University until 1996. They then moved to Kewaunee, WI. She served as church secretary at Grace Lutheran Church for eighteen years.

Darlene and Kurt opened the Ship's Wheel Gallery and Nautical Museum in Kewaunee. She was a member of the Kewaunee County Historical Society and the Curator of the Kewaunee County Jail Museum. She was also involved with Friends of the Kewaunee Library and was a singer in the choir at Grace Lutheran church. She enjoyed working in her garden, reading, and genealogy.

Darlene is survived by her son Eric (Sherry) Muellner, who both cared for her throughout the years, Northbrook, IL; daughter Khadija Asad (Twayab Nurmohamed), New Orleans, LA; two grandsons, Abdullah (Kelly) Nurmohamed, and Tariq Nurmohamed; one great grandchild, Rowan.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Kurt; her parents William and Violet Borges; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Gerda Muellner.

A visitation will take place Monday, October 12, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Mark Kenney officiating. Kinnard Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the Muellner family. Online condolences can be shared at KinnardFCS.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America at https://alzfdn.org