Darlene Amelia Dusek Schraufnagel

Darlene Amelia Dusek Schraufnagel, 84, of Columbus, GA died Saturday, January 13, 2024.

A funeral mass will be held 4:00 PM, Monday, February 5, 2024 at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2000 Kay Circle, Columbus, Georgia, according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

Darlene was born April 5, 1939, in River Falls, WI, the oldest daughter of Robert Dusek and Edna Schulte Dusek. She graduated from River Falls High School in 1957 and the University of Wisconsin River Falls in 1961with a degree in Education. Later she earned a Masters of Library Science degree from the University of Minnesota. Darlene began her teaching career in Colby, WI from 1961-1963 where she met her future husband, Noel, whom she married August 14, 1965 at St. Bridget Catholic Church in River Falls, WI. She also worked as a school librarian in Hudson, WI from 1963- 67 and Lincoln, NE from 1967-70. She spent most of her teaching career at Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS beginning in 1976and retired in 2001. Thousands of students were helped with her compassionate teaching style.

Darlene loved to read, do crossword puzzles with her husband of 58 years, spend time with family, and make life more interesting with her quick wit and sarcasm.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Mary Kliszcz, Phillip Dusek and Roberta Drewiske, and a grandson, Zachary Dylan Bragg.

She is survived by her husband, Noel Schraufnagel of Columbus, GA; daughters; Darcy Bragg (James) and Dana Larkin (Shane) both of Columbus, GA;grandchildren Noelle Larkin, Hailee Larkin, Ashley Bragg (Cale Shields) and Brittney Paige Bragg (Cody McClain); great grandchildren: Amari Bragg, Theodore McClain and Milo McClain; sisters: Shirley Berger, Elaine Baumann (Larry), and Kathleen Williamson (Lou), and many nieces and nephews.