Wayne Darrington

Tuesday, October 10, 2017 2:37 pm

Wayne Darrington, 87, died peacefully with his family at his side Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, at Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah. Visitation is Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Hesper Lutheran Church from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services are at Hesper Lutheran Church Friday, Oct. 13, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Matt Larson officiating. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials be given to Hesper Lutheran Church or Winneshiek County Hospice Program.

Wayne Darrington was born Oct. 27, 1929, in Hesper, to Byron and Mae (Orum) Darrington, the third of four sons in a lively Quaker household. He attended school in Hesper and then in Bayfield, Wis. When his family moved back to Hesper, he went to work for Jesse McMillen pumping gas, welding and machinery repair. As a young man he was known to be graceful on roller skates and water skis and snow skis; he even tackled the ski jump at Westby, Wis.

He was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Drievold Aug. 26, 1950, at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church in a triple wedding ceremony celebrated with Shirley’s two sisters, Irene and Lyle Sampson, and Charlotte and Robert Vang. They lived in La Crosse, Wis. then Dubuque, before returning to Hesper, where they made their home and raised their three children. During this time Wayne had worked for Trane Co., sold stainless steel cookware and worked for Arlin Falck and Mabel Lumber Co. In 1962 he and two business partners started their own implement business and thus was the beginning of Mabel Farm Equipment. He and Shirley and later their son, Steve, expanded and ran the business until 2001, when they closed the door for the last time. He cared deeply for his employees and customers and was always available for them. He enjoyed taking care of their yard and a large garden and an acre of sweet corn of which he and Shirley were happy to share with family and friends. Together, they were fortunate to be able to travel to Ireland, Germany, France, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica plus many cruises and United States tours.

For 59 years Hesper was their home and they were honored to be a part of the Hesper family and they were often seen on their front deck drinking coffee, waving at all who drove by and welcoming all who stopped in.

Wayne is survived by a son, Steve (Karen), of Decorah; two daughters, Carrie (Jim) Horihan, and Peggy (Dale) Rovang both of Decorah; five grandchildren: Sarah (Nick) Brynsaas, Decorah, Amy (Alex) Roth, Fairfield, Kurt Horihan (Abbey Norby), Mabel, Minn., Karla (Andrew) Focht, Villisca, Laura (Jason) Lemke, Decorah; eight adoring great-granddaughters: Grace, Olivia, Nora, Lilly, Payton, Jenna, Kylie and Ava; a sister-in-law, Sandy Darrington; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, of 65 years; and brothers: Frank, Bruce and Mark.