Darrell Maygra

Darrell Joseph Maygra, 62, of Gentilly, MN, died unexpectedly Monday, November 19, 2012, in Gentilly. Darrell was born in Crookston to Alfred and Adeline (Solie) Maygra on May 2, 1950. He grew up on the family farm in Kertsonville Township, was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Gentilly, and attended Crookston Central High School. Darrell was employed by the American Crystal Sugar Company in Crookston for eighteen years working during campaign seasons. He had also worked for Construction Engineers, Inc. of Grand Forks, and Crookston Welding, doing steel work during the construction at the local New Flyer building. In October, 1975 he was united in marriage to Renee Plante at St. Peter's in Gentilly. Three children were born to their union: Erica, Ben, and Megan. Darrell was a truly gifted machinist and welder, and operated a tractor repair business from his shop in Gentilly for several years. He especially enjoyed finding old John Deere tractors and restoring them to show room condition, or as he so aptly put it, "seeing them come alive again." He loved driving those tractors in local parades. Examples of his metal working can be seen at St. Peter's Cemetery in Gentilly, where he fashioned the front gate; and the cross he designed for the Hafslo Cemetery near Crookston. Everyone in Darrell's family received tool-boxes he made especially for each of them; and many a neighbor is grateful for the innovations he designed to make their farm machinery work more efficiently. He made a couple trips to Hannah, ND to help his son-in-law, Mick Brown with spring planting, and also did some farming on his own. Darrell never missed a steam thresher's reunion at Rollag, MN, and enjoyed helping out at Chautauqua, near Red Lake Falls, MN, when they had need for a special project. He was instrumental in arranging for a certified instructor to come into the area and teach classes for 'Conceal to Carry' gun permits to local individuals. Darrell was a local history buff and in past years had been active in the Polk County Historical Societ in Crookston. If a dog is considered to be man's best friend then "Willy" filled that role for him, and the two were constant companions. Darrell will be forever missed by his family and those he was close to. Loving family members include his 3 children: Erica (Mick) Brown of Hannah, ND, Ben (Jamie) Maygra of Grand Forks, ND, and Megan Maygra of Vancouver, WA; 5 grandchildren: Kayla, Max, and Brett Brown of Hannah, and Hannah and Brady Maygra of Grand Forks. Darrell also leaves his mother, Adeline Maygra of Crookston, MN; 2 sisters and a brother: Delores "Dee" (Steve) Jenson of East Grand Forks, MN, Karen (Dennis) Martin of Crookston, and Elroy Maygra (Marsha Locke) of Red Lake Falls, MN; several nieces and nephews including, Stephanie (Jay) Raymond, Loren (Linda) Jenson, Katrina Jenson, Christopher (Maggie) Martin, Derek (Jaclyn) Martin, Amber, David, and Amanda Maygra; great-nieces and great-nephews; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Maygra; and grandparents, Arthur and Louise Solie, and Gasper and Corine Maygra. May God bless Darrell's memory. A Memorial Mass for Darrell Maygra will be held at 3:00pm, Saturday, November 24, 2012, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Gentilly, MN, with The Rev. Vincent Miller, presiding, assisted by Deacon Dennis Bivens. Visitation with the family will be for the hour before the service. Inurnment will be in St. Peter's Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Service
Saturday, November 24, 2012
cemetery
Saturday, November 24, 2012