Darlene L. Cathman

Darlene L. Cathman, age 85, of Lancaster, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster.  She was born on July 4, 1938, the daughter of Harry and Regina (Cardey) Wieland.   Darlene grew up on the Wieland family farm at Hurricane.  As a young girl, she enjoyed riding her bike in the country. Darlene graduated from Hurricane grade school and Lancaster High School in 1956.  Upon graduation, she was employed as a legal secretary at Hoskins, Brown, Kalnins and McNamara Law Office.  On January 2, 1960, Darlene was united in marriage to Berlyn D. Cathman at the Christ Lutheran Church in Lancaster.  Together they farmed at Hurricane on the Wieland family farm, which has since become a Wisconsin Century Farm.  Darlene continued her career as a legal secretary for over 39 years, retiring in 1995.  Darlene loved working on taxes and being a secretary.  She would work many nights writing everything by hand then typing.  Darlene was never crazy about computers, liked to old fashion method.  She continued doing taxes up to the day she passed with information ready for the 2023 taxes.  She was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church.   Darlene enjoyed crocheting, gardening, sewing, picking berries, and old-time country music. She also liked going for Sunday car rides in the country, embroidering, reading, clipping newspaper information, and her cats.  Darlene was very proud of her grandmother’s dishes and the baby grand piano which she played as a child.  She worked with her daughter Shirley, by making kitchen towel toppers that were sold at craft fairs and in gift stores.  Darlene was a wealth of knowledge.  Her memory for dates and people was unprecedented.  She had many stories to share about family and happenings around Lancaster.  Her mind was excellent for her entire life.  When her grandsons were in college they would stop in many weekends enjoying stories of the past.  She also enjoyed family get togethers, visiting on the telephone with her friends, and attending parades and county fairs.  

Special thank you to Francis Elwell who helped her to stay in her house, the wonderful drivers who drove her to dialysis three times a week for 12 years at Platteville, the meals on wheel volunteers, her very special neighbors, ADRC of Grant County, Tri State Dialysis, and the emergency workers at Grant Regional Health Center.