Darlene J. Berghorst

Darlene June Berghorst, 87, of Grand Rapids passed away on Monday April 28th ,2025.

Darlene is survived by her sister Ruth London of Chase, Kelli (Steve)Schuberg of Stanwood, nephew David (Jacquie)London of Chase, great nephews and nieces Brent Depew, Alyssa (Jacob) Rosso, Caelynn and Savannah London and Taylor Schuberg and one great- great nephew, John Rosso.

Darlene was born on June 21st, 1937, to Stanley Berghorst and Bernice (Rypma) Berghorst in Zeeland, MI. She was an educator all her life. She attended Western MI University. Dar taught at Kent Hills Elementary, was part of the MSU Elementary Intern program where she supervised student teachers in Guatemala, was a Principal at Ridgemoor, Sibley, and Riverside Elementaries. She retired in 1992.

She was a great supporter of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Grand Rapids Public Museum, and many more. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels in her community and supported all her nephews and nieces in their love of reading and other extracurricular activities. She was a patron of the arts.

Darlene was an avid traveler. She traveled to Africa twice, Ireland, Mexico, the Bahamas and many other places at home and abroad.

Dar also loved her cats. Her house was filled with cat statues and artwork. She had a special fondness for Himalayans and had several throughout her life. At the end, she had her special needs Russian Blue, Beamer, by her side.

She was a huge fan of the Detroit Lions and MSU Spartans. Many Sundays she could be found sitting in her chair watching the Lions play, in the good years as well as the bad ones.

She will be missed by all her family and friends. Thanks to special family friends of Darlene: Linda Bird, Jill and Steve Baltzer, Nancy and Keith Paasch, and Nancy Douglas. The family thanks Corewell Hospice and Palliative Care for their amazing care of Dar through this journey.

There will be a celebration of life at Metcalf and Jonkoff Funeral home, Thursday May 8th from 2:00 until 4:00 pm.

The family asks that donations be made to Corewell Health Hospice and Palliative Care of Grand Rapids in lieu of flowers. https://give.corewellhealth.org/hospice-donatation

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Darlene J. Berghorst, please visit our floral store.