With strong characteristics of Midwestern farm values of Iowa, Darvin Lee Enderson existed on this earth until his three yearlong battle with lung cancer and COPD ended November 19, 2019. Glenda Rae (Hemphill) Enderson, his wife of nearly 57 years, was sitting by his side, in the comfort of their home when he took his last breath in DePere, Wisconsin. In these last days, both daughters, Shannon Lyn Groth and Siri Wasana Lin shared time with him, whispering memories and promises in his ear, as Glenda cared for him endlessly for the length of his illness. Darv and Glenda’s son Chad visited with them in September with caretakers from his tended care home, sharing precious time.
Born in Milford, Iowa on July 12, 1941, to farmers Carl Enderson and Selma (Knudson) Enderson, he shared his childhood with his five brothers, Jerry, Don, Carly, Darrell, all predeceased except for Terry Enderson. Darv graduated from Buena Vista University, and went on to celebrate a career as a CFO to companies, finally retiring from Farm Credit Services. His pastimes were horseback riding, boating, tinkering, world travel, and golfing with his brother and father-in-law, Glenn Hemphill, predeceased. His surviving family includes Shannon’s husband, Jay Groth, their son, Michael and his wife Jessica, their two daughters Carsen and Riley. He is also survived by Chad Enderson, their son in Rockford, Illinois who lives with Milestone with his housemates and long term care taker, Dawna McBride. Siri Wasana Lin and her husband, Edward Lin and their children, Olivia and Royce.
Missing Darvin are his brother Terry, sisters-in-law, Elaine Enderson, Charleen Enderson, and Mary Lorenzen. He loved dearly his numerous nieces and nephews.
Darvin was a spectacular man, friend, husband and father. His life was dedicated, full of purpose and grit. Spanning a lifetime of loyalty, fierce determination, and tenderness he fought to give his friends and family opportunities for growth, with an unwavering love for his wife and promise for his children to never leave them in need. Our family will miss him, and are grateful for his peace now. We thank our social worker, Kang and team of nurses, Justin and Jenna and others from Unity Hospice. We thank all our loved ones not mentioned here, for your constant love, support and compassion.
A Drive In Celebration of Life will be held September 19, 2020, at 10:30am, at First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji to honor his life and joyously remember him with family and friends. Prior to the celebration, Darvin’s immediate family will attend his interment at Milford Cemetery.
We thank those who honored him with contributions towards Milestone, Inc. Machesney Park, IL, the American Lung Association, and Unity Hospice of De Pere, Wisconsin.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.