Darlene Johnson Zagone

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our wonderful mother, Darlene Johnson Zagone, who went home to be with the Lord on March 19, 2025 at the age of 87. She departed this world peacefully, surrounded by her loving family and was welcomed into heaven by her Savior and all her family members who went before her.

Born on July 28, 1937 in Moose, Township, Minnesota, Darlene was a woman of grace, strength, and kindness. She dedicated her life to her family, always putting others before herself. She married Nicholas Zagone in 1958, and together they built a home filled with love and laughter. She was a nurturing mother to Mary Schroeder (Mark), Theresa Battle (Neil), Nick Zagone (Kriste) and JoAnn Federici. Darlene was a loving grandmother to Michael Schroeder (Nikki), Matthew Schroeder (Rebecca), Maria Schroeder, Nick Palumbo (Jackie), Tyler Battle (Morgan), Alex Zagone, Brooke Zagone and Lauren Federici, and great-grandmother to Cayden Palumbo, Harper Palumbo, William Palumbo, Carter Schroeder and baby girl Battle arriving in July.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Nick, her parents, John and Inga Johnson, her siblings Pearl (Howard) Hites, Andy (Ruby) Johnson, Jean Landin, Muriel (Delbert) Temple, and Vernie (Jack) Stone, her infant son, John Christopher Zagone, her grandson, Nicholas Zagone and her infant great-grandson, Caleb Schroeder.

Her unwavering love and support shaped the lives of all who knew her. She was known for her warm smile and kind heart. She loved an occasional glass of Chardonnay and was lovingly teased by her grandchildren for her habit of changing a topic or ending a conversation with the phrase “So, anyways…” She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and resilience.

A service to celebrate her beautiful life will be held on April 4th at Heritage Church, 255 N. Quentin Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. Visitation with the family will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life service at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (https://www.stjude.org) or Gateway Foundation (https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/donate/) in her memory. A Celebration of Life for family and friends in Darlene’s home town of Roseau, MN is planned for this summer.