Gilbert Martin Darkenwald

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Darkenwald, Gilbert Martin Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, & Great-Grand- father, age 93, of Otsego, passed away peacefully August 8, 2010. He was the son of Gilbert and Theresa of Moline, IL and is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Billie Virginia (Bird); his sons, John (Tonya) and Gilbert of Otsego, Clement (Idona) of Edina; daughter, Deborah (George) Yankoupe of Plymouth; and sisters, June Fennelly, Carol Fritch, Jean Hodson, and Mickey Conwell. He was preceded in death by his brother, Bob and sisters, Terry Lack and Rose Dow. Gil was blessed with 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He lived his formative years in and around the Quad Cities, IA with an occasional visit to Minneapolis where he met his life-long sweetheart, Billie, at North Shore Pines on Upper Whitefish Lake. Gil was a Veteran of WWII, who served in the Army Air Corps, Pacific Theater, from 1941 to 1945. Gil simply had a passion for life. He loved his work, his farm, his horses, his cattle, his John Deere tractors, but most of all, he loved his family, his wife Billie, and Jesus. Gil's passion for Real Estate and land development ushered him into the Vice-President of Eberhart and Co. until he founded Darkenwald Real Estate in 1969. Gil's achievements were many: he assembled the land for the Minneapolis industrial park, was instrumental in starting the CMLS in the late '60's, was President of the Greater Minneapolis Board of Realtors in 1969 and was a member of the SIOR. Gil's last day was celebrated surrounded by his loving family, praying the Rosary and watching one of his favorite Western Movies. Special thanks to the staffs of Guardian Angels by the Lake Assisted living in Elk River and North Memorial's Residential Hospice which supported Billie and her family during his final hours. Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Wed., Aug. 11, 2010 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 18380 Columbus St., Dayton, MN. Visitation 1 hour prior to Mass at the church. Interment St. John's parish cemetery. Memorials preferred. Arr Dare's Funeral and Cremation Service, 763-441-1212.

Published on August 10, 2010