Obituaries : Darrell James Kaestner

Darrell James Kaestner, 87, of Vinton, formerly of Newhall, passed away peacefully on August 17th, 2021, at the Keystone Care Center, after battling Parkinson's Disease for more than a decade.

A visitation will be held on August 22, 2021, from 4:00 until 7:00 PM. at St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall. His life will be honored on Monday, August 23, 2021, at 10:30 AM at St. John Lutheran Church, Newhall, where he was a lifelong member. Christian burial will take place at St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Darrell was born on March 3, 1934, in Vinton, to Paul and Bernice (Duncalf) Kaestner. Raised with four siblings on a farm, Darrell graduated from Newhall Consolidated School in 1952. He served his country in the United States Navy, and married the love of his life, Clarice Ireland, while stationed in Long Beach, California. Together they raised four children on the family farm near Newhall. After four decades of farming, Darrell & Clarice enjoyed annual treks to Port Isabel, Texas, where they helped build a church and made countless friends.

Darrell was a proud father and he taught his children many valuable life lessons that have contributed to their success and perseverance in life. While serving in the Navy, Darrell made lifelong friends; together they hosted an annual Navy Reunion for more than 50 years. The vast majority of his machinery was green, and after restoring the first tractor had used in farming, a 1958 John Deere 530, he rode it in the Eastern Iowa Tractorcade for more than a decade. Many might remember him singing a song he learned in grade school: "My pappy, he bought me a dog... " to the tune of Yankee Doodle.

Darrell will be remembered always by his wife and best friend of 65 years, Clarice Kaestner; daughters Paula (John) Hagenow, Pam Andrews, and Jamie (Jim) Anderson, and son Jon (Ginger) Kaestner, as well as his 13 grandchildren, Barry, Justin, Becky, Jacob, Jay, Chad, Allan, Luke, Amy, Heidi, Samuel, Joel and Abbie. Darrell is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and sisters Marge Grovert and Ann (Jack) Roberson.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, sister Monica, brother Grant, and son-in-law Tim Mehlert.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Darrell may be made directly to St. John Lutheran Church, Newhall, or St. Croix Hospice.

Online condolences may be left at: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com