Darrell Ophaug

DARRELL OPHAUG

Marion

Darrell Phillip Ophaug, 76, of Marion, went home to be with the Lord April 8, 2014, after a brief illness. Funeral service will be led by the Rev. Steve Qualben on April 14 at 3 p.m., with an hour before visitation at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 8300 C Ave. NE, Marion. The family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids, with burial at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Darrell is survived by his wife of 53 years, Norma; daughters, Gwen (Dale) Fangman of North Liberty and Kari (Todd) Duncan of Cedar Rapids; five grandchildren, Tim, Matthew and Jason Fangman and Kayleigh and Lauren Duncan; one brother, Francis (Grace); his sister-in-law, Annette; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Ruth, and brother, Roger.

Darrell was born Nov. 10, 1937, in McVille, N.D., to Arthur and Ruth (Anderson) Ophaug. He married Norma M. Mutcher on Sept. 17, 1960, at United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, N.D. Their honeymoon was their trip to Marion, Iowa, where they made their home and raised their family.

Darrell graduated from McVille High School in 1955, attended North Dakota State University for one year and then worked at San Francisco Naval Base one year before graduating from Wapeton State School of Science, with a degree in industrial drafting in 1959.

He was immediately hired by Collins Radio (now Rockwell Collins), where he worked until December 1971. From 1972 until his retirement on March 31, 2003, Darrell worked for Square D (now Schneider Electric). His proudest achievements during his working career with Square D was sharing the title inventor on seven circuit breaker patents.

Darrell had a lifelong faith relationship with God. As a boy he was baptized, confirmed and received the God, Home and Country award at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Kloten, N.D. He became a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in 1961, serving on the church council and attending Married Couples Club.

Darrell loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. He found pleasure in watching the grandchildren participate in various activities and was their greatest fan.

His other interests were researching the family genealogy, building models from kits and collecting farm tractors, especially John Deere.

Darrell always ensured his family's needs were taken care of; he took joy in giving when and where he could. He will always be in our hearts and memories.

The family would like to thank Dr. Karwal and staff at Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and the staff at Northbrook Manor and St. Luke's Hospital and Hospice for caring for Darrell during his battle with liver cancer.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Liver Foundation for Liver Cancer Research or to St. Mark's Lutheran Church for hearing disability devices.

Please leave an online condolence for the family at www.cedarme morial.com under Obituaries.