Darrel K. Lind

1936 - 2025

Darrel K. Lind

May 28, 1936 - October 29, 2025

MASON CITY - Darrel K. Lind, age 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on October 29, 2025, at the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City on Saturday, October 8, 2025 at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com

Darrel was born on May 28, 1936, to Harry and Sophia (Hansen) Lind on the Lind family farm in Franklin County, near Coulter, Iowa. He grew up working on the family farm and later moved to Coulter following his father's passing. He was baptized and confirmed at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Coulter. On August 14, 1958, he was united in marriage to Marilyn K. Meyer of Latimer, Iowa.

Darrel attended country school and graduated from Franklin Consolidated High School in 1954. He earned his bachelor's degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1958, and later received his Master of Arts in Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1969. His career in education began in Thompson and Nashua, Iowa. Upon moving to Mason City, he first worked as an accountant at the Frank Enbusk accounting firm. Within a few years, he was delighted to be called once again to the classroom, embarking on what became a remarkable 50-year career in business education at Mason City High School and North Iowa Community College.

He was especially pleased to witness the arrival of computers in schools in the 1970s and played a key role in establishing Mason City High School's first computer lab and business technology curriculum, which he developed and refined over many years. Known for his clarity, humor, and professionalism, Darrel inspired generations of students and was a generous mentor to younger colleagues, whom he fondly referred to as "young educators."

Beyond the classroom, Darrel served multiple terms on the ACE Credit Union Board and the Area Education Agency Board, and contributed to numerous school and church committees at Trinity Lutheran Church. He was regarded as a thoughtful listener who, after hearing all sides, would often bring a long discussion to focus with a clear and constructive path forward. He also pursued his lifelong love of farming - cultivating, harvesting, and caring for several farms he acquired over the years.

Darrel was a devoted husband and father. He often expressed deep gratitude for Marilyn's steady faith and her devotion to family, Christian values, and good citizenship. Together they delighted in their children's endeavors - whether helping with paper routes, attending dance recitals, or sharing family camping and ski trips. His easy laugh and warm spirit shone through in his friendships at church, his investment club, and his rambunctious football club. In later years, he and Marilyn frequently visited and traveled with their children and grandchildren to California, Utah, Washington, D.C., New York City, Connecticut, Hawaii, France, Germany and Italy.

Darrel lived with love, gratitude, humility, and reverence toward God and others. Ever with pen in hand, he often jotted down favorite Bible verses and inspirational reflections. Among those he cherished were:

"If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides." - 1 Peter 4:11

"I will consider my earthly existence to have been wasted unless I can recall a loving family, a consistent investment in the lives of people, and an earnest attempt to serve the God who made me." - Dr. James Dobson

Even as he faced the challenges of advancing Parkinson's disease, he often recited and drew strength from Tennyson's Ulysses - holding close the lines, "tho' much is taken, much abides," and meeting each day with quiet courage, strong in will "to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

Darrel is lovingly survived by his wife of 69 years, Marilyn; their three children, Douglas Lind of Norwalk, CT, Denise Lind of Mason City, IA, and Daniel Lind of Atherton, CA; four grandchildren, Sophia and Cooper Lind of London, England, Alexandra Lind of New York, NY, and Lily Lind of Berkeley, CA; sister-in-law, Arla Mae Lind of Hampton, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Sophia Lind; his brother, Delos Lind; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and John Fritz; nephew, David Lind; and beloved daughter-in-law, Maria Lind.

The family is deeply grateful to the kind and caring staff at Good Shepherd Health Center, who supported Darrel with warmth and compassion over the past three years, and to the wonderful doctors and staff at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Darrel's name may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank. Cards for the family may be sent to Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, IA 50401, or to Marilyn Lind, 320 1st St NE, #104, Mason City, IA 50401.

Major Erickson Funeral Home

111 N Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City, IA 50401

641-423-0924