Taken Sr., Darel Guy

Darel Guy Taken Sr. of Marion died May 6, 2012, from complications of Multiple Myeloma at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Services: 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids, by Pastor Robin Tyner. The family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Military honors will be provided by Marion American Legion Post 298.

Survivors include two daughters and one son, Connie Aldridge and Darel G. Taken Jr., both of Cedar Rapids, and Deborah Critz (Steve) of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Steve Duffy (Stacy), Jason Duffy and Kelsey Taken, all of Cedar Rapids, Marsha Critz (Joel Jenkins) of Altoona, Kyle Critz (Amanda Nauman) of Bondurant, Jessie Aldridge Johnson (Kurt) of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Blue Aldridge (Angie) of Milwaukee, Wis.; 11 great-grandchildren, Brenan, Quin, Ethan, Maddy, Drew and Destiny Duffy, all of Cedar Rapids, Taylor and Caitlyn Lawson and Trevor Jenkins, all of Altoona, and Logan and Abby Johnson of Sioux Falls, S.D.; one sister, Cleo Cass of Gilbert, Minn.; and two very special friends, Lavonne Henkel and Gary Aldridge.

There are numerous nieces and nephews on the Taken side of the family: Roland Taken, Judy Swanson (Dave), Joan Peterson (Doug), Janet Frank (Art), Joyce Cass, Jeanie Froland (Jon), Jerry Cass (Mary), Jim Cass (LuElla), Ed Cass (Marilyn), Dave Cass (Darlene), Dan Cass (Mary), Marlene Mingo (Ron), Betty Jean Reed (Richard), Darlene Bushenfelt (Dave), Bob Taken, Julia Salisbury (Danny), Leslie Taken (Kim), Allen Taken (Barb), Kathy Northrup (Frank), Bertha Wolf (Kevin) and Doug Taken (Laurie).

Darel was preceded in death by his son, Steven Ray Taken; parents; three brothers, Glen, Jay and Dale; a sister and brother-in-law, Charles and Erna Cass; sister-in law, Mildred Taken; brother-in-law, Ralph Cass; nephew, Richard Taken; and a niece, Cindy Moe.

Darel was born to William Fred and Eva Mae (Levitt) Taken on Sept. 17, 1931, in Volga, S.D. He was married to Jessie DeJong on May 30, 1952, and divorced in June 2005. He was a member of the American Legion in Warroad, Minn., at the same time as his father and brothers Jay and Dale in the 1950s. He continued his membership with the American Legion through the time of his death. Darel was in the U.S. Army from July 1952 through 1954. He was a Sergeant First Class. Darel worked for Wilson Foods/Farmstead Foods for 35 years, the Cedar Rapids Parks Department for eight years and was a school crossing guard for the Cedar Rapids Schools for eight years. After Farmstead Foods closed in 1990, he attended one year of college at Kirkwood Community College.

Darel loved to hunt, fish, camp and play cards. He especially enjoyed playing cards and dancing with his special friend, Lavonne Henkel. He was a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan who loved to tinker in the garage and could fix just about anything. As you read through the many mentioned family members you can understand that Darel was a social monster in his family. He missed very few activities that required family attendance and will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.

Memorials may be directed in Daryl's memory to the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy and the Stonebridge Church.

Please sign the online guest book for Darel at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published May 7, 2012, in The Gazette