Darrel Michael

Darrel Edward Michael was born October 9, 1932, to Herman and Katherine (Said) Michael in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Darrel's mother died when he was two and his father remarried Dorothy Freymuller. Darrel was raised north of Magnolia and graduated from Magnolia High School in 1950. Darrel proudly served his country in the United States Army in Korea and Japan from 1951 ~ 1954. He was honorably discharged as a corporal. On May 3, 1953, Darrel married Esther Gochenour at the Christian Church in Missouri Valley. The couple farmed north of Magnolia retiring in 2002.

Darrel was a member of the Christian Church and the Department of Rural Development in Logan. He was also a member of the Magnolia American Legion Post 612. In 1981, Darrel was named the Kiwanis Farmer of the Year. He enjoyed riding horses and raising quarter horses, hogs and cattle. He also enjoyed baseball and in his younger years he played on the town team. He loved watching his grandchildren in their sporting events. Darrel and Esther loved to play cards ~ especially with Gene and Marcie Evans.

Darrel died on September 27, 2012, at Community Memorial Hospital in Missouri Valley, Iowa at the age of 79 years, 11 months, and 18 days.

Darrel was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Paul Girton and Georgia and Keith Blair; and sister-in-law, Karen Michael. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Esther Michael of Magnolia, Iowa; two children, Cindy (Rod) Ballantyne of Missouri Valley, Iowa, Mark (Tracy) Michael of Logan Iowa; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; two sisters, Connie (Gordy) Betcher of Sun City, Arizona, Sondra Kay (Leonard) Chlopek of Algonquin, Illinois; two brothers, Warren "Butch" Michael of Omaha, Nebraska, Jon (Lynda) Michael of Chandler, Arizona; and many other relatives and friends.