Darrell William Spencer

Darrell “Papa” Spencer left this world May 3, 2024, to reunite in heaven with his parents; Georgia and Archie, four brothers; Allen, Jimmy, Gary, and Glen, mother and father-in-law; Meta and Arnold Mann, brother-in-law; Darrel “Butch” Mann, sister-in-law; Donna Mann, special cousins; Bud and Anna Lou Thompson, along with many other friends. 

Papa made his arrival on August 19, 1936, at a birthing home near Maxbass, North Dakota where he grew up and attended school until he joined the US Army. Stationed in Iceland, he started his career as a diesel mechanic.  

After receiving an honorable discharge, he moved to Lake Crystal, Minnesota and eventually settled in the North Mankato area with his wife Judy of almost 42 years. Papa worked as a diesel mechanic for several companies but after a triple bypass heart surgery he retired from True Value where he had worked for 12 years having started at age 65, the time most people retire. While working full time he and his wife Judy owned and operated “Happy Cooker Catering Service” where they roasted hogs and turkeys for over 27 years.  

Papa enjoyed traveling. He liked going to district, state, regional, and international Eagle conventions/conferences and cherished the many camping trips he went on with friends and family. He was extremely proud of being a member of Mankato Aerie 269 for 44 years having attained the positions of local, district and Minnesota State Worthy President which he attained a year before his body started to slow down after many years of hard work. He was also a member of North Mankato American Legion 518 and former member of the Moose and the Masons. 

Papa also enjoyed hunting. He looked forward to his time up north each year deer hunting with Dick Henry and the guys and getting into their “sock” while playing cards. He had a bucket wish come true when his son, Steve, and his father-in-law, Dan, went elk hunting in Montana.  

Papa was very proud of his many collectable John Deere tractors and was thrilled when he was able to go to Waterloo, Iowa with family to the John Deere plant and museum.  

Furthermore, Papa enjoyed watching his westerns, Mash, and the Vikings where he coached from his recliner. 

Papa loved the eight kids in his blended family: Rick, Lois, Paul, Cindy (Robert) Jones, Steve (Bridget), Tricia (Pat) Tobin, Kara (Greg) Pipes, Tim Anderson and special daughter Gina Farchette. He was proud to tell everyone he had twenty-three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Marlene Spencer, Zobie Spencer, Bev Raimann, and brother-in-law Don Mann. 

We are so grateful for all our family’s help during this time and for our dear friends John and Janelle Cedergren, Earl and Sharon Taylor, his Happy Chef Friday Breakfast cronies, and Eagle special friends Ed and Linda Connell, Ron and Maureen Malz, Bruce and Cindy Meyer and many more who without their support and encouragement he would have never been able to attain the privilege of being the 2022–2023 Minnesota State Worthy President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. 

We are also grateful for all the Mankato Clinic staff over the past years and the Mayo Hospice nurses who, along with children and grandchildren, were with us in the last stages of his life. 

If you would like to say your “see ya laters” face-to-face, visitation will be at Northview Funeral Home Thursday, May 9th from 4:00pm-7:00pm with a viewing from 4:00pm-5:00pm. Final farewell service begins at 11:00am on Friday, May 10th at Messiah Lutheran Church with visitation prior from 10:00am-11:00am. Burial will be held at Woodland Hills Cemetery followed by a celebration of Papas life at the Mankato Eagles Club.  

His "Papaisms" will be missed by all. "PAPA - YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU!!!" 

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.