Darlene Mae Wawok, October 14, 1940-March 14, 2025.
Darlene Mae Wawok, 84, of La Porte, Indiana, passed away Friday, March 14, 2025, at Northwest Health-Porter, IN.
She was born October 14, 1940, in La Porte, Indiana, the daughter of Jesse Milroy Freese and Mary Elizabeth Marcella (Wiltfong) Freese.
A lifelong resident of the area, Darlene attended La Porte High, then worked for American Home Foods before discovering she was afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 30. Darlene was a fighter, though, and she lived her life to the fullest. She survived Breast Cancer and made it clear that she would not let M.S. defeat her. Darlene loved to dance and listen to her favorite entertainer, Elvis Presley. She loved bingo and enjoyed all kinds of puzzles and gossip magazines. She was very active in her senior groups and especially loved going to the casino boat. Darlene was a tiny person with a big personality who loved people (but not having roommates) and was devoted to her family. She fought the good fight and won the race and will forever be missed by those who loved her.
She is survived by her daughters, Brenda A. (Shawn) Horton of NV, Elizabeth (Ken) Tanksley of Mill Creek, IN; son, Tony (Dee Dee) Wawok of La Porte, IN; two sisters, Donna Hall of La Porte, IN, Debbie Lain of La Porte, IN; grandchildren, Christine Griffin, Amy (Keith) Wegiel, Nicholas (Nikki) Korepanow, Sara (Brett) Bauer, Alexa Jones, Jessica (Craig) Williams, Daniel Kinsella, Caleb ( Rochelle) Kinsella, Rebecca Wawok, Steve (Megan) Beach, Ian (Jenna) Beach; 14 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and her beloved nieces and nephews.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers and sisters, Charles Freese, Robert Freese, Norman Freese, Delores Sprague, Jesse Freese, and Denise Euler.
Arrangements are being entrusted to Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Maple Ave., La Porte, IN, where the family will receive friends for a viewing on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until funeral service time at noon. A cousin, Jeff Stevens, will officiate. Interment will follow at the Springville Cemetery, LaPorte, Indiana.
Because Darlene donated so graciously to many MS charities, the family has requested memorial contributions in her name be made to the National M.S. Society at www.nationalmssociety.org. or the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America at https://mymsaa.org.
Online condolences may be made at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com.
