Darlene A. (Krueger) Riani

Darlene Riani, age 86, of West Chicago, passed away Monday, February 21, 2022 at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.

She was born June 4, 1935, in Oak Park, the daughter of Gilbert and Hazel (Hauver) Krueger.

Darlene was a self-proclaimed “domestic engineer” of the highest order. She crocheted the best blankets as well as studied particle physics as a hobby. She loved Operas as well as Chicago blues. She could sit and watch the wind rustle the leaves for hours with a cup of coffee in hand, and then decide to trek the entire walkway around Lake Geneva. She cooked & cleaned for, educated, comforted, and raised 4 great kids…and rode a mountain bike, a Vespa, cross country skiid, played racquetball, went to rock concerts, and ran an empire while doing it. She wrote volumes of books, stories, and studies. She was a published author, a photographer, painter, gardener, supporter, fighter, and a champion. She lived more than most and left no stone unkicked.

She is survived by her children Laura Coggeshall of Aurora, Ralph “Skip” (Donna) of Carol Stream, Anthony of Geneva, and James (Melissa) of Warrenville; grandchildren Erich (Denise) Weiger, Robert (Angela) Riani, Steven (Crystal) Riani, Elizabeth (John) Marszalek, Christina (Dan) McKee,  and Anaka, Rebecca, and Leo Riani; great grandchildren Noah Weiger, Zachary, Dominic, and Madison Riani, Trent Noland, Aiden, Gage, Rogue Riani, Joseph, Loretto, Evangeline, and Lucas Marszalek, and Brandon McKee; and many other dear relatives and friends.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents and her devoted husband of 63 years Sergio who passed away in 2016.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 23, 2022 from 3:00 – 9:00 pm with a Funeral Service at 7:30 pm with Pastor Trudy Stoffel officiating at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State Street, Geneva.

To view the Wednesday night Funeral service virtually please click on the following link and use the passcode to access it. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85174140083?pwd=c2V5cnhMTHFuaXhERS9rTDUyaVl2UT09

Passcode:  777685

Funeral prayers will be held Thursday, February 24 at 11:00 am at Malone Funeral Home proceeding to Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside for burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Darlene’s memory to Geneva Lutheran Church, 301 S. 3rd Street, Geneva, Illinois 60134 would be appreciated.

For more information, please call 630-232-8233 or visit www.malonefh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Darlene A. (Krueger) Riani, please visit our floral store.