Vannatta, Darrel 1927-2013

VANNATTA, GLEASON, JENSEN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/22/2013 at 11:02:05

LeMars Sentinel
July 15, 2013

Darrel Roy Vannatta, 86, of Le Mars, died Friday, July 12, 2013 at Good Samaritan Society-Le Mars, in Le Mars.

Darrel Vannatta was born June 24, 1927, in Cherokee, the son of Pearl and Myrtle (Gleason) Vannatta. He graduated from Wilson High School in Cherokee in 1947.

On Aug. 28, 1948 he was united in marriage to Delores Jensen in Cherokee. They made their home in Cherokee until 1953, when they moved to Le Mars.

Darrel became the construction crew foreman for Iowa Public Service in Le Mars.

They would have been married 65 years this August.

Darrel worked for 42 years for Iowa Public Service as a foreman lineman. He was recently awarded a 65-year pin as a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He retired in 1989.

Darrel and his family spent every summer at their cabin on Lake Kabetogama near International Falls, Minn., since 1968. He was an avid fisherman, boater, and woodworker.

Darrel was a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts for more than 30 years and received the Silver Beaver Award.

He was a member of the Le Mars United Methodist Church, where he served on the church board and as a trustee, usher, and choir member.

Darrel and his wife enjoyed roller skating and ball room dancing.

Darrel is survived by his wife, Delores; two children, a daughter, Diane and her husband Bruce Lancaster, of Le Mars, and a son, Dennis and his wife Rita Vannatta, of Sioux City; five grandchildren, Bryk and his wife Jennifer Lancaster, Marion, Kyja and her husband Derek Johnson, Des Moines, Kryri and her husband Dan VanVoorst, Grinnell, Ashley and Adam Vannatta, Sioux City, three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert and his wife Dolores Vannatta, of Cherokee, and Clifford Vannatta, of Sioux City; his twin sister, Darlene Patten, of Cherokee; a sister, Beverly and her husband Harold Heschke, of Cherokee; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, LuVerne Vannatta; sister-in-law, Marion Vannatta; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Patten.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church of Le Mars. The Rev. John Battern will officiate. Interment will follow at Resthaven Cemetery, rural Le Mars. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today (Monday) with the family present after 5 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., all at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will continue from 9:30 a.m. until service on Tuesday at the church.