Darrel Walter Brown

Darrel Walter Brown, 83, of Elk River, Minnesota, went to be with the Lord on February 10, 2025. A funeral service will be held at Elk River Baptist Church (1800 8th Street in Elk River) at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. A private graveside burial service will follow at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. 

Darrel was born on July 26, 1941, in Kabekona, Minnesota, to Walter and Alice (Lawyer) Brown. He graduated from Bemidji High School in 1959 and, shortly after, joined the United States Air Force, where he was stationed at RAF Sculthorpe.

While home on leave from England, Darrel met the love of his life, Sandy Bergstrom, who was also from Bemidji. After graduating high school in 1960, she flew to England, and they were married at a little church in Hunstanton.

Darrel and Sandy were stationed there for almost four years. Two of their three children, Steve and Donny, were born in England, and their third son, Randy, was born at a military base in North Carolina.

Darrel served his country in the USAF for almost nine years. In addition to his tours of duty in England and North Carolina, he was also stationed in Illinois and Arizona. 

After an honorable discharge from the service, Darrel and Sandy moved their family back to Bemidji, where he worked at the Nu-Ply plant. He earned a degree from Bemidji State College before moving to Elk River, where he taught industrial technology in Coon Rapids for 25 years.

Darrel and Sandy made lasting friendships and great memories in Elk River, and Darrel attended St. Cloud College in the evenings to earn his Master’s Degree.

Upon retiring from teaching, Darrel and Sandy built a home in Akeley, Minnesota, where they lived for 13 years before downsizing and moving into a twin home in Park Rapids, Minnesota. In 2023, they moved back to Elk River. 

Through the years, Darrel and Sandy spent some winters in different parts of the United States and always felt blessed to see so much of the country in their motorhome. They were always thankful for their good times in the Northwoods with their three young sons in a Starcraft Popup Camper.

Darrel enjoyed hunting deer and grouse, camping, and just being outdoors admiring God’s awesome creation. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family four-wheeling, cutting wood, and golfing, as well as making his grandkids’ favorite pancakes.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Sandy; sons, Steve (Debbie), Donny (Elisa), Randy (Lynn); 12 grandchildren, Meghan, Spencer, Emily, Matt, Noah, Mady, Ryan, Isaac, Matthew, Jenna, John, and Grady, and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Duane (Jeanne) and sister-in-law Donna Rae (Bob) Gosh.

He is preceded in death by his parents and stepmother Inga Brown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Darrel's name are preferred to Triniti Hospice in Elk River, MN.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dare’s Funeral Home of Elk River, MN. 763-441-1212. www.daresfuneralhome.com

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