Darlene "Dar" J. Hill

Darlene “Dar” Jacquelynn Hill, age 80, of Oneida, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2026, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

She was born on July 11, 1946, to Norvel Cornelius and Lorraine Brunette in Green Bay, Wisconsin and graduated from Green Bay East High School. Darlene was an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.

Dar was the oldest of ten and had fond memories of playing softball with her siblings, with Rolli (dad) as their coach. She was a pool shark in her younger years, always known for her vibrancy and zest for life. One of her most endearing qualities being she’d never turn up her nose to any job or anyone, always willing to help a friend, family or stranger. Her desire for new challenges and change, she was perpetually on the go doing something. Whether waitressing, her hand at factory work, a blackjack dealer and many other positions for Oneida Bingo & Casino and Hochunk Casino, among others. She travelled, owning her own Hot Air Balloon company in Orlando, Florida chasing down balloons through sugar sand.

Darlene’s favorite hobby was spending time with family and friends socializing. In her youth, she spent her time fishing, being outdoors, listening to the birds and making friends with the neighborhood. From playing cards with the Funk family to swimming at Pamperin Park with the Smith’s to family trips to Hartland to visit family. It didn’t matter what you were doing, as long as she was surrounded by people she cared for, she was having the best day. She also cherished the hunt of finding items of all sorts for family and friends at thrift stores and garage sales. Her favorites being window shopping at Taylor Creek and Interior Motive Consignment, or wherever she could force Kelly to take her.

Darlene is survived by her loving children: Chris (Jill) Laes, LeeAnn Laes, Allan Laes, Kelly Laes, Danette (Ray Frye) Woodmansee and Danielle Moran; grandchildren: Ashley (Pat Jr.) Finley and Matthew Kaercher, Ravyn Frye, Autumn Frye, Tarren Frye and Talon Frye, and Tyler Moran; great-grandchildren: Hailey (Jon) Collard, Brady Collard, Jaydon Collard, Colton Finley, Chase Kaercher, Mila Kaercher, Sophia Kaercher, and Boston Kaercher; and a great-great grandchild, Clyde Ullmann. She is further survived by her siblings: Keith (Bonnie) Brunette, Kent (Bonnie) Brunette, Christine Brunette, Georgi Mielke, Byrnne Brunette, Kelvin (Debbie) Brunette, Kathy Brunette and Kevin Brunette; her favorite aunt, Carolyn "Auntie Carrots" Schardt; the Hartland family: Vivian, Vicki, Veronica, Terri and Andy; her ex-husband, Francis Laes; and further relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Kerry Rae Brunette; her Uncle Harry and Aunt Diane; and ex-husband, Larry Besaw.

A Funeral Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 1 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home, 340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay, WI, 54301. A time for friends and family to visit will begin at 11 AM until the time of the service. The Oneida Hymn Singers will sing at 12:30 PM, folks may still visit, but are asked to be respectful during that half hour. Reception will follow at the Oneida Parish Hall. 

There will be a time during the service to share memories, please feel free to bring a story to tell and all are welcome to share.