Darletta Gehrlein

Darletta Jean (Hansen) Gehrlein, died on January 12, 2025, in Wenatchee, WA. Darletta was born to Bill and Willetta (Ray) Hansen in 1949 in Mount Vernon, WA. Darletta was a "206-er" at heart and always loved the green Skagit Valley and her childhood home on Broad Street in Mount Vernon. She grew up in a wonderful neighborhood filled with lots of friends (especially the Johnsons). Darletta attended K-12 in Mount Vernon, graduating from Mount Vernon High School in 1967, followed by attending Skagit Valley College. Darletta met Bill Gehrlein, her husband of 36 years, in 1975 in a foxhole on a firing range at Fort Lewis while in U. S. Army Reserve training; and she later became an E-4 with the Bellingham Unit. Over the next six months, Bill introduced Darletta to his four children and his newborn granddaughter. In 1976, Darletta moved to Wenatchee, where she worked at Columbia Federal for a year. She retired from Alcoa after 30 years as an Office Administrator and loved, loved, loved all her co-workers. She enjoyed family time at Lake Chelan and vacationing in Bill's homeland of Germany. Bill passed away on May 18, 2012, at their family home of 35 years, following a short illness. Darletta is survived by Cousins, Deb (Dave), Doug (Chrissy), and Kelsey and Devon (love them so much!); special friends the Johnsons, the Porters, Dale, Jeanine, Grayson, Ollie and Jaden; Theresa, Jeanette, Dave & Tina, and Molly; and Bill's four children, Walter (Lynnette); Christina (Jim); Karl (Tricia); and Benny (Mary). "Auntie" Darletta is also survived by Bill's eight grandchildren, Dawn (Adam), Cassie (Wilson), Hailee (Lilah), Kyle (Jayme), Tara (Tomas), Ashley (Justin), Megan (Leon), Krystal (Chris); and his sixteen great-grandchildren, Zander, Coltin, Oaklyn, Greta, Ingrid, Emma, Hunter, Caleb, Carly, Madison, Kenedi, Lilly, Grayson, Logan, Raelyn and Aria. Darletta was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Willetta Hansen; her grandparents, Dudley and Amy Hansen; her husband, Bill of 36 years; his brother and sister, Walter and Sophie; Bill's 13-month-old great-granddaughter, Savanna Mae Schooler, (killed by a drunk driver). and stepmother, Leona Hansen. Darletta thanks her cousins, the Gehrlein Family, and her special Wenatchee friends for their love and support. You will be greatly missed until we meet again. I love you all! Don't take yourselves so seriously and continue being kind to each other, family is all you have. Darletta has requested no service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice if you wish. She will be laid to rest at Hawthorne Memorial Park, Mount Vernon, WA. with her mother and father. That's all folks. Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Darletta Gehrlein

May 14, 1949 - January 12, 2025