Darrel G. Smith

Darrel Gene Smith, 79, a rural Stewartville, MN, resident, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026, following an ATV accident while working on his property.

Darrel was born on August 22,1947, in Ladysmith, WI. He was one of four children born to Jack and Dorothy(Escher) Smith. Darrel enjoyed telling stories of his childhood which he shared with his older sister, Vivian, older brother, Gary, and his younger brother, Terry. They lived in St. Paul, MN prior to moving to New Brighton, MN where Darrel graduated from Mounds View High School in 1965. Immediately following graduation, Darrel enlisted in the United States Coast Guard as a Boatswain's Mate, where he was a master of seamanship, navigation and maritime leadership. He served a total of 6 years (4 active and 2 reserve) at 5 different bases throughout Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines. His exemplary performance throughout his career earned him the National Defense Service Medal and the Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, thus meriting an Honorable Discharge in August of 1969. His greatest triumph was receiving a Quilt of Valor in honor of his service on April 18, 2026.
Darrel married Donna Thompson on July 18, 1970 at the Congregational church in New Brighton. Soon after, they moved to Rochester, MN right before welcoming their only child, Dawn, on July 11, 1971. The two later divorced in 1985.

Darrel completed Carpentry Apprenticeship School and began working for Dave Alexander Builders where he built houses in and around the Rochester area. He also had his own company, Smith Spray and Seal, in which he would do basement waterproofing in the evenings and on weekends. In the spring of 1981, he began working for Mike Coates with MEC Construction and quickly moved up to project superintendent. This also started a friendship between him and Mike that extended way past work and retirement. The two especially loved ice fishing together during the cold Minnesota winters. In 1986, he became the principal owner of Antler Construction of Rochester. This was a union labor, sub-contracting company. At the time, he also activated his Carpenters Union card in Local 1382 to which he carried through his retirement. These skills came to fruition in 1987 when he completed construction on his dream home in rural Stewartville, where he lived until his passing.

Darrel was a hardworking man who enjoyed staying busy. He maintained his farmstead and trails, including trails he had named after members of his family. He also maintained a hazelnut farm, tending to the trees and harvesting the nuts, which he sold at local farmers markets and senior centers.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and ice fishing and loved spending time outdoors. He taught his grandchildren how to fish and, just as importantly, how to be quiet while doing it. His grandchildren also knew that the bird feeder on his kitchen counter was always stocked with peanut M&Ms, which somehow seemed to disappear whenever they came to visit.
Darrel was a true outdoorsman and had a great appreciation for wildlife. All animals were welcome (except for raccoons and squirrels), and were fed well around his property. He maintained multiple feeding stations for deer and birds – especially the hummingbirds which he loved to watch and listen to. Inside his home, walls were filled with taxidermy from the animals he had hunted and collected over the years. He also had a unique collection of more than 100 deviled egg plates and thousands of artillery shells for which he built his own storage and display cabinet for.

Darrel enjoyed Minnesota sports and was a loyal fan of the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, and Minnesota Wild. After a day's work, he could often be found in his recliner with a glass of brandy and 7UP, watching his favorite teams. If he wasn’t watching sports, you would find a classic Gunsmoke episode playing on the TV. 
In-between hunting, fishing, and managing his property, Darrel maintained a very full social calendar. You would often find him at one of the Senior Centers in Stewartville or Blue Earth having lunch and playing cards, or at Roosters in Rochester playing pool. During the summer months you could catch him at various Farmer’s Markets selling his home pressed Hazelnut oil. For the past 16 years, Darrel shared his life with his girlfriend, Sue. They enjoyed many fishing trips, time outdoors, and other adventures together. 

Darrel is survived by his daughter, Dawn (Jeff) Peterson of Decorah, IA; grandchildren, Tayla (Stephanie) Begnaud, Kyle (Chelsea) Begnaud, Kody (Shelby) Begnaud, Taryn Sanderman, and Tegyn Sanderman; great-grandchildren, Annabeth Begnaud, Pru Begnaud, Thalia Begnaud, and Pierce Begnaud; his sister, Vivian Howard; his brothers, Gary (Sandy) Smith and Terry Smith; nephews Chris (Jill) Howard, Tim (Lana) Howard, Bryan (Stacy) Howard, Cameron (Tamra) Smith; niece Megan (Bob) Novack and his longtime girlfriend, Sue Cassens.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Jack Smith, his great-granddaughter, Penelopie Begnaud, nephews, Brandon Smith and Shawn Smith and brother-in-law – Jeff Howard.

A time of visitation and celebration of life will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Burial with military honors will take place immediately following at noon at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Darrel are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Darrel G. Smith, please visit our floral store.