Darin Donlan

Monday, July 2, 2018 1:40 pm

Darin Donlan, 46, of West Union (formerly of Calmar), died Friday, June 29, 2018, at the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis. Services were at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 5, at Calmar Lutheran Church, Calmar, with Pastor Anita Nuetzman officiating. Organist was Martha Ludeking. Special music was performed by Shirley, Sandy and Jacki Christopher. Songs were “Here I Am, Lord,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone,” “You Are My Sunshine,” “Hallelujah” and “Be Thou My Vision.” Casket bearers were all of Darin’s special friends at the Washington and Jefferson Houses in West Union. Honorary casket bearers were Paul Ehler, Brady Mikkelson, Ryan Monroe, Gary Novotny and Ken Kubesh. Interment was at Orleans Lutheran Cemetery, Cresco. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Darin Lew Donlan was born Nov. 30, 1971, at the Winneshiek County Hospital in Decorah, the son of Dale and LaVonne (Midthus) Donlan. Darin was three when he went to preschool. Marlys Lien was his teacher. Darin’s second school experience was preschool for handicapped children in Spillville and he later attended the Abner Hendrickson School for the developmentally disabled in Decorah with Karen Gates as his teacher. Darin attended the junior high school in Decorah with Dennis Fisher and Paula Olejniczak as his teachers. He was integrated into to the high school with Helen Wesselman as his teacher. Darin graduated from the Laura Baker School in Northfield, Minn., with a diploma from South Winneshiek High School. Darin then worked at different facilities throughout the years. The last eight years, Darin has been at the Jefferson House in West Union. Darin was a very friendly, social person who loved people. If he met you once, he would hold out his hand and ask for your name; and when he met you again, he would remember your name using both your first and last names. He was a wizard at putting puzzles together. His photogenic memory came in handy at home – if something was misplaced we’d just ask Darin and he would go right to it. Darin’s favorite pasttime was shredding paper by hand. When he went to visit local farmers he’d spread it out in their calf pens for bedding. He collected John Deere toys and enjoyed getting rides on tractors. He participated in the Special Olympics and won many medals and ribbons. Each summer, Darin would attend Camp Winnebago in Caledonia or Albrecht Acres in Sherrill. He loved to bicycle, roller skate, bowl, snowmobile, motor cycle, horseback ride, picnic, visit zoos, go on hayrides, swim, camp, fish, go to the movies, stock car races and theme parks, and go cruising in the convertible with his brothers. He went out to eat at restaurants with family and friends on a regular basis. Darin was fortunate enough to have many wonderful people from all walks of life who helped support and advocate for him throughout his life. Darin was well loved and will never be forgotten.

Darin is survived by his mother, LaVonne Donlan, Mabel, Minn.; brothers, Danny (Michelle) Donlan, Cresco and Deon (Tracy) Donlan, Farmington, Minn.; nieces and nephews: Samuel, Dashel, Finnegan, McKenzie and Kathleen Donlan; aunts and uncles: Arlin Midthus, Cresco and Larry (Deb) Midthus, Cresco; Kay Donlan Strand Decorah, Jerry (Kay) Donlan Calmar and Marjorie (Curt) Berge Lexington, Ky.

Darin was preceded in death by his father, Dale Donlan, Oct. 23, 1988; grandparents: Parnell and Elizabeth Donlan and Arthur and Alice Midthus.