Darlene Mattson

Obituary of Darlene Mattson Darlene Grace Mattson Darlene Grace Mattson passed away on April 2, 2015 after a long battle with renal disease. Darlene, or "Dar" as her friends called her, was born on November 19, 1946, the youngest child of Matt and Grace Mattson. She loved to dance, knit, shop, socialize, do word searches, play cards and laugh. She loved the Green Bay Packers and University of Wisconsin Badgers. She adored children and was very caring and giving. Darlene graduated from Houghton High School in 1965, married Paul Jalkanen of Hancock in 1966 and gave birth to her son Mark in 1967. She loved being a mother and she was blessed with a baby girl, Leah, through adoption in 1972. Over the years Darlene worked in the library of the local high school, attended college classes, and after the family moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin in 1981 she got a job with the Port Washington School District as a paraprofessional, first with elementary children with severe autism, and later in the high school in the alternative education program. Due to health issues Darlene moved back to Houghton where she was able to be with much of her family including her grandson Mika who was the absolute joy in her world. She loved any and all time spent with him. Darlene is survived by her son Mark (Julie) Jalkanen of Dodgeville, MI. her daughter Leah Jalkanen of Boston, MA. her grandson Mika Jalkanen of Dodgeville, MI. her sisters-in-law Dorothy Mattson of Dodgeville, MI. Ruth (Bud) Sova of Port Washington, WI. Anne (Tim) Miller of Naples, FL. brother- in-law John Jalkanen of Encinitas, CA. and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Darlene is preceded in death by her parents Matt and Grace (Duzek) Mattson and her brothers David Mattson and Chuckie Mattson. A memorial is being planned for later this summer. To view Darlene's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.plowefuneralhome.com. The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral homes have been assisting the family with the arrangements. To send flowers to the family of Darlene Mattson, please visit Tribute Store