Memorial

Darrell Phillip Ophaug, 76, of Marion, went home to be with the Lord April 8th after a brief illness.  Funeral Service will be held April 14th at 3 PM with an hour prior visitation at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 8300 C Ave NE, Marion.    The family will greet friends from 2 to 4 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.  Burial:  Cedar Memorial Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.  

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, 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 November 10, 1937 in McVille, North Dakota to Arthur and Ruth (Anderson) Ophaug.  He married Norma M. Mutcher on September 17, 1960 at United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota.  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 Wahpeton 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 were 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 Saviors Lutheran Church, Kloten, North Dakota.  He became a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in 1961, serving on 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 the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the 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.