Darlene Marie Silbernagel Mathias, 90 of Rib Lake, WI and Palos Park, IL died on Friday, February 12, 2021 at Rib Lake Health Services where she had resided for the past 20 months. Darlene was born on September 1, 1930 to William and Marie (Schmidt) Silbernagel in Medford, Wisconsin. Darlene married Glenn Mathias, Sr. in Red Wing, Minnesota on March 20, 1954.
They started out their married life in Rib Lake, but soon moved to the Chicago, IL area where they bought a home in Palos Park. They lived in their home on 119th Street in Palos Park until all of their children were raised and both Glenn and Darlene had retired from their jobs. Then they moved back to Rib Lake where they spent retirement in their re-modeled cottage on Spirit Lake.
Many of us may think about what we will leave behind for our children… Darlene never gave any thought to that, and because she didn’t that is why she left behind a wonderful legacy. The most important was her absolute, unwavering love and devotion to God, and her absolute, unconditional love for her husband Glenn and her five children: Paul, Patrick, Tim, Mary, and Glenn Jr.
Darlene was born of an English teacher and author for a mom, which gave her the unyielding promise of the proper use of the English language and would demand her children respect it as well. Her father was a brilliant Mathematician/Metallurgist, which is probably why she not only succeeded but persevered as a realtor/broker in Palos Park, IL and surrounding area.
As her many trophies show, her honesty, faith, love of her profession is what called her to Real Estate later on. She would often convince families either not to sell their home yet or purchase a particular one because she knew in her heart that it wasn’t a perfect fit for them; only to find their home years later for them. These families were so astounded and commended her and referred her to many others because of her honesty and loyalty to them.
Her parents moved around during her growing-up years, so she attended many different schools. While in high school in Indiana, she was a star athlete in track, and other areas. The boys’ coach would often use Darlene as an example to inspire them, wishing she could have partaken in the same sports as the boys. She was always an athlete; she played softball in her 50’s, and was in a bowling league even into her 70’s. Even far into retirement years, she won medals in the Senior Olympics while at her winter home in Mission, Texas.
Darlene was a stay-at-home-Mom, making home-made bread daily and having a big vegetable garden in Palos Park. She knew how to perfect cooking venison, partridge, pheasant, fish and anything else that her children brought home. She not only made sure her family went to church every Sunday, but also she and husband went without many things in order to offer her children the best education as well. Darlene was one to reach out to any one that needed aid. Her home was always open to anyone needing love, faith renewal, a roof over their head which entailed many people over the years, and never needing or expecting anything in return. She said, “There is always room for one more,” and many times people ate supper around her table who were not actually part of the family. To Darlene, they were part of her family—if even for just a short time. She was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Rib Lake.
Darlene is survived by her husband, Glenn Sr. of Rib Lake, sons, Paul (Jackie) Mathias of Medford, Patrick (Julie) Mathias of Grand Rapids, MN, Tim (Laura) Mathias & Glenn Jr. (Lori) Mathias both of Lemont, IL and Mary (Rick) Gordon of Wausau, WI. Darlene is also survived by 19 grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, William Silbernagel, Jr, Shirley (Vernon “Peanuts”) Olson, Karen Maes; and grandson, Matthew Mathias.
Funeral services for Darlene will be at 11 AM on Wednesday, February 17 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Rib Lake with Father Hrudaya Raju Sunkara officiating. Burial will take place following at Lakeview Cemetery, Rib Lake with family members serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be at church from 9:30 AM until the time of services on Wednesday. Due to COVID concerns, masks will be required at the church.
Any memorial contributions may
be directed to Patrick Mathias, 34438 County Road 63, Grand Rapids, MN, 55744. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake
is serving the family. For online
condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com.
