"So sorry for your loss. Sending hugs to all of you!"
In loving memory of
Darrell Lee Slechta
August 31, 1943 - December 25, 2020
Darrell Lee Slechta, known to many as “Slick”, was born August 31, 1943 to Chester Slechta and Mabel (Peterson) Riley in Denison, Iowa. He was baptized with his siblings at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Dow City, Iowa and confirmed September 14, 1975 at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. Darrell received his early education at Linn Grove and Denison Country School. On September 9, 1961, Darrell was united in marriage to Karen Rath and they were blessed with three children: Todd, Mark and Lisa.
As a late teen, Darrell started working for the local bakery , “Olson’s Bakery”. Darrell worked construction around many western Iowa counties and he held the honor of laying the first block at the new IBP Plant in Denison which opened in 1961. In 1970 he started his own construction business called Darrell Slechta Masonry.
Darrell enjoyed baking peanut butter cookies and butter horn rolls. He also enjoyed gardening, traveling with his family in their motorhome and watching CNN. He loved going to Todd and Mark’s jobsites to make sure they were working and getting the job done. Darrell was an entertainer and loved to make sure everyone had a good laugh and a smile on their face. Every time he would leave, he always said, “be good” and that was always his way of telling you that he loved you. Darrell’s grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were very special to him and gave him much pleasure. He also had a special place in his heart for his dog, “Maggie”.
Darrell passed away Friday, December 25, 2020 at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska with his family around him, attaining the age of seventy-seven years, three months, twenty-five days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; siblings, Alice, Ruby, Jerry, Brad and Phyllis .
He is survived by his two sons, Todd and Joni, and Mark and Kitty; one daughter, Lisa and Jeff; grandchildren: Darren and Krystin; Megan and Joshua; Morgan and Noe; Landon and Morgan; April and Aaron; Alisa and Josh; Andrea and Dalton; Abby and Kirk; Devyn and Max; great-grandchildren: Jayden, Braxten, Kinnick and Baby Slechta; Jonah, Makena and Jaida; Camila; Brooklyn and Baby Lawrence; Kinnick, Kara, Hayes, Mia and Elise; Miles and Carter; siblings, Dennis and Ellie, Ron and Helen, James and Paulette, Ann, and Mike and Dawn; in-laws, Bob and Darlene, Donna and Cindy; other relatives and friends.
Funeral Service is 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison with visitation one hour before the service from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Interment is in Crawford Heights Memory Gardens. Memorials may be directed to the family.
We will live-stream the service on our Huebner Funeral Home Facebook page. The video will start at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday so please refresh your page if you do not see it at that time.
Tributes
"Lit a candle in memory of Darrell Lee Slechta"
"Our sympathies and prayers go out to Darrell's children, grandchildren and siblings. Was good to see him in church the past few months.
Renee and Butch Miller, Denison"
"Lit a candle in memory of Darrell Lee Slechta"
"Slechta family, Many thoughts and prayers to you all during this difficult time. I am sure MaFred greeted him with excitement. Trevor & Mandi Johnson"
"We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to my cousin Darrell Slechta's family. I was very sorry to hear of his passing. Gordon and Mary Linden"
"Very sorry for your loss. "Slick" was always an important person in my life. Lots of basements together, then with the sons."
"My most sincere condolences to the Slechta family after Darrell's passing. The Slechtas have a long history with Denison and Crawford County and Darrell helped build so many important projects over the years. His legacy is being carried on."
"Sent a gift in memory of Darrell Lee Slechta"
"Sending our sincere sympathy to Darrell's family. You took such good care of him, and it was obvious he was well loved! To meet God and be reunited with family on Christmas Day, what a glorious blessing it was for him!! Rest in peace Darrell - we will miss you. Norm and Sue Johnston"
"Sent a gift in memory of Darrell Lee Slechta"
"My thoughts and prayers for Darrells family. He was such a warm fun loving friend. Donna Solt"
"I remember when we had a lot of fun camping together. Sorry for your loss Todd, Mark, and Lisa."
"Sent a gift in memory of Darrell Lee Slechta"
"To the Slechta Family, You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss Darrell in church. His chair was empty this morning! But we all know he is resting in his Heavenly home. You were all so good to him and we know you will all miss him. Dave and Janice Nemitz"
"Dear Grandpa, I am so blessed to of had you as the most loving and caring grandpa. I wish I could have visited more often, but I will cherish all the memories I have had with you and grandma. Im glad you are reunited with grandma and living your best life with her. We surely do miss you down here already. Im glad I took the day to come be by your side yesterday. :heart: I love you grandpa and I hope you are having fun with grandma. ~ Love, Abby"