Darla Faye Schroader, 74, of Lake Mills died Thursday, July 20, 2017, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. today at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Kiester with the Rev. Katie Pals officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery in Kiester. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting the family. To leave an online condolence, visit www.brussheitner.com.

Darla Faye was born Oct. 14, 1942, the daughter of LeRoy and Doris (Eitel) Aske. She graduated from Kiester High School. Darla married Vir Gene Schroader, and to this union Ryan and Darin were born; the couple later divorced.

Darla worked in Lake Mills for many years at Fleetgard. She enjoyed cooking for people in Kiester at the cafe and the bowling alley, was known to make a mean burger and fries, and made sure that no one left her house hungry.

Darla was united in marriage to Pat McGurk and became mom to Lisa and John.

She bowled on a traveling league. Darla loved to read, travel and she learned to ride motorcycle at age 60.

Darla earned her purple belt in karate, taking classes with her son and grandson. She was a very strong-willed and determined woman. She enjoyed gardening, growing veggies and rhubarb, and loved to weed her garden. Darla was always on the move, but would stop and find time to put her feet in any body of water. She was constantly taking pictures of her adventures and her family. Darla loved her grandchildren and spoiling them.

Darla is survived by her children Darin (Ronda) Schroader of Lake Mills, Lisa (Tim) Jurgens of Forest City and John (Carie) McGurk of Puyallup, Washington; grandchildren Tyler Schroader (Ashley Melton), Alyss Michel, Melissa Michel, Ashlynn Jurgens, Kylee, Josh, Lexie and Sophia McGurk, Kay Morten and Harley Schroader; and two great-granddaughters, McKinsley and McKenna.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Pat McGurk; son, Ryan “Fuzzy” Schroader, on July 13, 2017; grandson, Noah William; and brother, Gary (Leatha) Aske.