Darla Goulette 05/21/2026

May 2^nd, 1960- May 21^st, 2026

Darla Jayne (Ducklow) Goulette passed away after a hard-fought battle against glioblastoma. She passed away at home with her family beside her on May 21^st.

Darla was born to Ralph and Joan (Ingli) Ducklow in Hudson, Wisconsin.  She was a lifelong resident of River falls

On October 22^nd, 1983 she married her high school sweetheart Tom. Their first date was on Tom’s birthday in 1977. They lived two blocks apart while growing up but never met until high school. They went on to start a family. A daughter Stacia and son Nathan.

Darla held many supervisor/management positions in retail. Her most passionate endeavor was owing two Curves for Women Fitness Centers for 11 years. She had a degree in Kinesiology. She was certified in weight loss, nutrition, fitness and behavior modification. Darla was also a licensed Zumba instructor. She loved to dance and help women achieve health goals and lifestyles. After her retirement in 2014 from Curves, she decided to start a small in-home cleaning business.

Darla enjoyed cooking and making enough food to feed an Army. She loved sending home leftovers. Darla made all holidays filled with food and fun. She and Tom loved to entertain. Darla enjoyed taking a recipe and putting her own spin on it. She could sit for hours reading cookbooks. Darla was especially passionate and shined with all her chili recipes.

She enjoyed both flower and vegetable gardening.  Her yard and endless flowerbeds overflowed with beautiful flowers all kept in pristine condition. She never passed up the opportunity to buy a new unique plant. When her beds were full, she would open them up for all to come take a part of her garden to make their own.

Darla’s other hobbies included: home decorating, walking, watching the Green Bay Packers, knitting, cross stitching, bowling, swimming, and watching home improvement shows. She was the queen of canning salsa and dill pickles; all made from fresh ingredients from her gardens. Nothing was more enjoyable to Darla then working in the soil and getting her hands dirty.

She and Tom enjoyed raising koi and goldfish. Their backyard filled with ponds for all to enjoy. Each fish special and cherished by Darla. Her love for all animals was strong thru out her lifetime.

Traveling was important to her. She enjoyed the heat and humidity of Florida, and Saint Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands. She loved the ocean and beautiful beaches. Her and Tom enjoyed nothing more than to spend hours on the beautiful beaches of Boca Grande, Sanibel and Captiva in Florida. These were vacations of relaxation, her true “fun” place was Nashville, Tennessee. Darla couldn’t resist a good pair of cowboy boots and some dancing.

Darla is survived by her husband Tom Goulette. Daughter, Stacia (Layne) Hetrick and son, Nathan Goulette. Her fur babies Lenny, Tucker, Alice, and Oakley. Along with many more loving aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, nieces, nephews and special friends.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Joan and Ralph Ducklow. Along with many more cherished relatives.

Per Darla’s wishes, no service is planned