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Darrel Hinkeldey, 86, of Storm Lake died July 29, 2025, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.
Funeral services will take place Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Hanover. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 1, from 5-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
Darrel was born Nov. 20, 1938, the son of Herman and Opal (Fahr) Hinkeldey in Alta. He attended grade school in Hanover, then graduated from Alta High School in 1956. After high school, Darrel started farming south of Alta. He also served in the Army National Guard.
On Aug. 2, 1970, Darrel was united in marriage to Bonnie DeForest at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Alta. They were blessed with two children, Dennis and Deanna.
Darrel’s lifelong passion was farming. This included his feeder calf operation, raising hogs and crop farming. In his earlier years, Darrel enjoyed bowling. He was a big sports fan with his favorite teams being the St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and Iowa Hawkeyes football. Darrel and Bonnie enjoyed playing in card clubs. More than anything, Darrel treasured time with his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his beloved wife Bonnie Hinkeldey; children: Dennis Hinkeldey of Newell; Deanna (Curtis) Christiansen of Newell; grandchildren: Scott Hinkeldey, Caitlin Hinkeldey, Seth (Emily) Dicks, Bryan Dicks, Hunter Christiansen and Kaylea Christiansen; great-grandchildren: Mason, Braelynn, Kenzi, Hayden and Liam; Connor, River and Samantha; Adalynn, Elsie and Silas; sister-in-law Dorothy Hinkeldey; brother-in-law Delbert DeForest; Alvin DeForest; extended family and friends.
Darrel was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Opal Hinkeldey; infant brother; brother Dwaine Hinkeldey; parents-in-law, Manuel and Lucille DeForest; brothers-in-law, Richard DeForest and Allen DeForest; sisters-in-law, Annette DeForest and Patricia DeForest; and son-in-law Scot Dicks.
