Darla M. Emanuel, age 66, of Merrill, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 31, 2012, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and the staff at Walnut Grove, Merrill.
Darla was born on May 10, 1946, in Bremerton, Washington, daughter of the late Floyd and Lois (Schaefer) Laffin. She married Roger Emanuel in November of 1977. He preceded her in death on January 7, 2012. Darla was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. She loved cats and attending cat shows. She belonged to the Cat Fanciers Association. Darla and her late husband, Roger, enjoyed traveling all over. They had been to Oregon, Alaska and Cancun, Mexico many times. Darla enjoyed family gatherings and entertaining. She also indulged in her favorite treat of a milkshake quite often. Darla was extremely courageous and brave as she dealt with muscular sclerosis for the past 26 1/2 years. She has taught many people to persevere through difficult times and she has touched many lives.
Survivors include one step daughter, Rogene (Jeff) Janik, of Merrill; two step sons, Kevin (Kristine) Emanuel, of Merrill, and Brian (Carol) Emanuel, of Baraboo; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; three sisters, Geri Racino, of Merrill, Dawn (Darrell) Arndt, of Merrill, and Judy (John) Radzinski, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; one step sister-in-law, Joan Rohloff; three sisters-in-law, Betty (Donald) Krueger, of St. Germain, JoAnn Johnson and Mary Riebe, both of Merrill; and one brother-in-law, Harvey (Betty) Emanuel, Jr., of Palm Coast, Florida. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews, and her special friends at Walnut Grove.
Darla was preceded in death by her husband, Roger; her father, Floyd Laffin; her mother, Lois Rohloff; her step-father, Martin Rohloff; one step-son, Steve Emanuel; one step sister, Joan Arnott; one step brother, Jim Rohloff; one sister-in-law, Elaine Gano; two brothers-in-law, Lee Racino and Gerald Emanuel; and one step brother-in-law, Dean Arnott.
The funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 9, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. David Szeto will officiate. Entombment will take place at Merrill Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lincoln County Humane Society, Trinity Lutheran Church, or the Hospice Foundation.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com