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Darrel D. Upton Obituary – 9/10/2012


Darrel Dean Upton, age 77, of Darwin, died Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, at the Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.

He was born Aug. 14, 1935, in Marietta, MN, the son of Perry and Inez (Bohnsack) Upton. Darrel grew up in the Marietta area, and graduated from Marietta High School.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith, and was a member of the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel at the time of his death.

After high school, Darrel farmed for a year in Marietta.

He was united in marriage to Joyce Eidem Oct. 15, 1955.

From 1957-1966, Darrel was enlisted in the Army National Guard of Minnesota.

He and Joyce lived in Minneapolis, where Darrel was employed with Minnesota Rubber Company in 1966 as a salesman. In 1968, his territory was changed and they moved to the Detroit, MI area, where Darrel resided until 1999.

Joyce preceded him in death Aug. 9, 1991.

Darrel was united in marriage to Sheri Smith April 9, 1999, at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel. The couple made their home on Lake Stella, near Darwin, and enjoyed wintering in Arizona.

Darrel loved spending time with his family, and spoiling his grandchildren. He was always busy, and especially enjoyed mowing the grass and trimming his trees and bushes. An avid golfer, Darrel always had time for another 18 holes.

He was a member of the Paul F. Dille American Legion, the Darwin Lions Club, and the Men’s Club in Fountain Hills, AZ.

Darrel was a sincere and easygoing gentleman who always took the time to visit with friends and family, and he loved to meet new friends. He will be deeply missed.

Darrel is survived by his wife, Sheri Upton of Darwin; daughter Laurie (Art) Davis of Northville, MI; stepchildren, Rory (Peggy) Smith of Dassel, and Tracy (Andrew) Lawson of Loretto; grandchildren Ryan Davis, Julie Davis, Becky Davis, Adam Smith, Courtney Smith, Kelly Lawson, Will Lawson and Drew Lawson; a sister, Marlyce (Ed) Hoium of Madison, MN; and a niece, Holly (Gary) Meyer of Revillo, SD.

In addition to his wife, Joyce, Darrel was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service took place Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel with the Rev. Steven Olson officiating, and the eulogy by the Rev. Raymond Haugland. Interment will take place at the Riverside Cemetery in Plymouth, MI at a later date.

There was visitation Thursday evening, Sept. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel, and it continued Friday, one hour prior to the service at the church .

Memorials can be sent to: Connect Care Home Care and Hospice, 211 Freemont Ave SE, Hutchinson, MN 55350; Gethsemane Lutheran Church, P.O. Box C, Dassel, MN 55325; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 17444, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269.

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