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WAYNE DARRINGTON
October 27, 1929 - October 8, 2017

Wayne Darrington was born October 27, 1929 in Hesper, Iowa  to Byron and Mae (Orum) Darrington, the 3rd of 4 sons in a lively, Quaker household. He attended school in Hesper and then in Bayfield, Wi.  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, Wisconsin. 

On August 26, 1950 he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Drievold 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 LaCrosse, WI then Dubuque, IA  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.

At age 87, Wayne died peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, October 8, 2017, at Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah, Iowa. 

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,IA.,  Amy (Alex) Roth, Fairfield, IA., Kurt Horihan (Abbey Norby), Mabel, MN., Karla (Andrew) Focht, Villisca, IA., Laura (Jason) Lemke, Decorah, IA. 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.

Visitation will be Thurs., Oct. 12 at the Hesper Lutheran Church from 5-7 PM

Funeral services will be held at Hesper Lutheran Church on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017 at 11:00 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.

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