Darrel Casmey

Darrel Charles Casmey, 86, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully early Tuesday morning, January 23, 2018, at his home. Darrel was born on October 3, 1931 at Grand Forks, ND, the only child of Charles Archie and Irma Rosella (Laidley) Casmey. He was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in Key West, Polk County, and attended elementary school at Fisher, MN. In 1942 the Casmey family moved to Park Rapids, where Darrel completed grade school at two different country schools, and was confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in nearby Akeley, MN. He went on to graduate from Park Rapids High School in 1951.

Following graduation, Darrel remained in Park Rapids and was employed at Nordquist’s Marshall Wells Hardware, and then for Cary and Hemphill Coast to Coast Hardware. On May 20, 1952 he was drafted into the US Army at the time of the Korean War. For his service to his country he was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Darrel received his honorable discharge with the rank of Technical Sergeant on April 29, 1954. Upon his return to Park Rapids he began working at Smith Chevrolet, and later started dairy farming in Todd Township. On August 10, 1957 Darrel was united in marriage to Glorrayne Elloise Olson at Akeley, MN, by The Rev. Rolf Aaseng. Their marriage was blessed by the births of three children: Greg Darrel, Beverly Joy, and Cheryl Renee. Darrel began raising a herd of beef cattle while also working for Larsen’s Ace Hardware for a number of years. He later served as assistant manager for the Robertson Lumber Company, before working for the Lampert Building Center. Darrrel and Glorrayne were devoted members of Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, where he served as a deacon, secretary of the Sunday school program, and member of the church’s call committee.

After working on Main Street in Park Rapids for seventeen years Darrel was elected to the office Hubbard County Treasurer. He served in that capacity until 1975 when he was appointed Clerk of Court, the position that is known today as Court Administrator. Darrel served the court system until his retirement on May 31, 1994. A few weeks later he and Glorrayne celebrated his retirement during a trip to Carrington, ND. Even though Darrel enjoyed working, he enjoyed his golden years by attending summertime festivals, going to school and church programs, visiting antique stores, attending auctions, and watching the Lawrence Welk program on television. After Darrel and Glorrrayne’s parents passed away, the couple decided to move back to the place of their roots. They sold their country home near Park Rapids and settled in a country home midway between Nielsville and Climax, MN. For nearly four years they worshipped at the Climax Lutheran Church before becoming members of Sand Hill Lutheran Church, rural Climax, for another five years. Because of health issues the couple moved to Crookston where they became members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Throughout the years they rejoiced in living a life of faith, treasuring the love of family, and enjoying the friendships of many.

Darrel is survived by Glorrayne, his beloved wife of sixty years; their three children: Greg (Jill) Casmey of Arden Hills, MN, Beverly Parsatoon of Eden Prairie, MN, and Cheryl (Vance) Thoreson of Climax, MN; nine grandchildren: Alisa (Kevin) Wolf of Mosinee, WI, Andrea Casmey of Shoreview, MN, Mark Parsatoon and Mary Parsatoon of Eden Prairie, Heidi Shol of Crookston, MN, Heather Shol of Fargo, ND, and Marie, Megan and Sarah Thoreson of Climax; and three great-grandsons: Finn and Pierce Wolf of Mosinee, and Gabrial Casmey of Shoreview. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a grandson, Philip Parsatoon.

The funeral service and celebration of Darrel’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 28, 2018, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Crookston, with The Rev. Bill Reck, officiating. Interment will be at the Oakdale Cemetery in Crookston in the spring. The family requests that memorials be given in Darrel’s honor to the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Youth Fund. May God richly bless the memory of Darrel Charles Casmey.

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