Darrell Gene Shoesmith

     Darrell Gene Shoesmith, the son of Marvel and Gladys (Olsen) Shoesmith, was born September 26, 1936, in Hamlin, Iowa and died March 3, 2024, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 87 years, 5 months, and 7 days.

     Darrell was the oldest of seven children. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, but later joined the Catholic Church as an adult. Darrell graduated from Audubon High School with the Class of 1955 and then farmed with his father after graduation.

     On June 21, 1958, he was united in marriage to Lavonne Marie Murray at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He then served in the United States Air Force for four and one half years as a Radar Operator and obtained the rank of Airman First Class. He was stationed in North Africa, Nevada, Arizona, and Sacramento, California. Darrell was honorably discharged in May 1962.

Darrell and Lavonne made their permanent home in Audubon where he raised livestock, worked as a feed salesman, and was a cabinet maker. His community service was mostly entirely through their church life, serving on the Cemetery Committee and for two years as the Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus organization.

     Darrell and Lavonne had four children. They enjoyed attending their school activities and then after they retired, playing golf and bridge. He also prided himself on the garden they planted each year and his greatest joy was sharing his harvest with others. Only his kids know why the lima beans never seemed to survive long enough to make it to the kitchen table.

     Preceding Darrell in death were his infant son (Kevin Gene); a stillborn granddaughter (Kristine Heller); parents (Marvel and Gladys); in-laws (Albert and Magdalen Murray); two sisters (Kay Sodemann and Patricia Scott); two brothers-in-law (Jim Sodemann and Gary Crees; three sisters-in-law ( Colleen Murray, Mary Collette Murray-Daily and Jane Wiggins).

     Survivors his wife Lavonne and their children Cynthia (Mark) Heller of Audubon, Kimberly (Jeff—AJ) Hupp of Springfield, Missouri, Kevin of Des Moines. Iowa and Linn of Audubon; grandchildren Angela (Jeff) Hatlevig, Matt (Kim) Heller, Emily (Jake Wascisin) Shoesmith, Trystin Shoesmith and Allison Hupp; great grandchildren Josie, Amelia, and Landon Hatlevig, and Bennett and Tessa Heller; sisters Sandra Crees, Donna (John) Gregersen, Karen (Dave) Voight, and his brother Darwin (Kathy) Shoesmith, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

     The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening, March 6, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated by Father ( ) on Thursday morning, March 7, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery south of Audubon. The honorary casket bearers will be David Hansen, Richard Gleason, Mike Wiggins, Steve May, Roger Nelson, Bob Killeen, Tim Wiggins, and Dallas Bald. The casket bearers will be Mark Heller, Jeff Hupp, Jeff Hatlevig, Kevin Shoesmith, Linn Shoesmith, Trystin Shoesmith and Matt Heller.