Darlene C. Enghagen

MADISON - Darlene C. (Simmerman) Enghagen, beloved mom, friend, and school counselor, 68, of Madison, Wisconsin passed away on January 4, 2017 at the Select Specialty Hospital after several weeks of illness. Dar was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 20, 1948. She married Robert J. Enghagen on July 23, 1977, in Osseo, Wisconsin. Dar earned a Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degrees in School Counseling at UW campuses in Eau Claire, Superior and Stout. She loved her work in both the Eleva-Strum (9 years) and Sun Prairie (26 years) school districts. Dar created and implemented many successful counseling programs and served thousands of students (elementary and high school), their families, and hundreds of educators. She served on the board and as President of the Wisconsin School Counselor Association in 1990-1991 and represented Wisconsin school counselors in the American School Counselor Association. Dar was a caring and generous woman to all who knew her. She loved learning every day with interests in the sciences, as well as, the social sciences and was an early adopter of new ideas and technologies. Dar was an excellent observer, communicator, supporter, problem-solver and leader. She believed in the sunny side of the street and the power of love and kindness. Dar was deeply committed to progressive politics, workers and human rights, and all forms of social justice. She loved singers Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, and all folk music. Dar was creative/artistic and often made awards, costumes, and decorations that sparked pride, friendships, school spirit, and a sense of community. She was an amazing woman who shared her many gifts, wisdom, and humor. Survivors include: her son, Zachariah Enghagen and his wife, Carmen Schumann of Virginia Beach, Virginia; former husband, Robert Enghagen of Sun Prairie and his extended family; a brother, Dave (Nancy) Simmerman and family of Waukesha; and many close friends and colleagues. In 1996, Dar was grateful, to be contacted by Corey Schroeder and his family, as she was his birth mother in 1967. She was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Dennis and Dell Simmerman. A Celebration of Dars Life will be held at OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS, 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison on Saturday, February 18, 2017, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contributions to the Darlene Enghagen Memorial Fund" can be sent in care of Barbara Bitters, 4810 Martha Lane, Madison, WI. 53714. Please share remembrances and photos at www.866allfaiths.com And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services Madison (608)442-0477 www.866allfaiths.com