Darrell Leon Munch

Darrell Leon Munch, son of Jens Peter and Sena (Larsen) Munch, was born November 6, 1931, at his parents’ home west of Exira, Iowa, and died November 5, 2017, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa, at the age of 85 years, 11 months, and 29 days.

Darrell was baptized at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. He attended rural school through the 8th grade and then helped on the family farm. On January 2, 1952, he enlisted in the United States Navy. During his tour of duty he served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on December 16, 1955, and returned home to help operate the family farm.

On July 29, 1956 he was united in marriage to Marilyn Sorensen at the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, Iowa. Four sons: Terry, Jeff, Mitch, and Darrin were born to this union. Darrell then rented several farms where he raised row crops, milked cows, and raised livestock. In 1959, they purchased a farm east of Exira, Iowa and enjoyed their home until they moved to Exira in 1986. When he retired from farming, they purchased Darrell’s Place in Hamlin, Iowa with what has become the World Famous Tenderloin. They continued to own and operate Darrell’s Place until they sold it to Jeff and Diana in 2007. They continued to enjoy their home in Exira until they moved to M.J. Estates Assisted Living in Exira in May of 2017.

Darrell was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira. He was a member of the American Legion Ballou Post #332 in Exira, V.F.W. Dale Christensen Post #4119 in Audubon, and the Am Vets Harry Albertsen Post #51 in Kimballton, Iowa. Darrell was an avid card player and loved to play any type of card games. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and always enjoyed trips to the casino. But most of all he loved spending time with his family and would have the whole family gather every Sunday for dinner for many years.

Preceding him in death were his granddaughter Randi Jo Munch; his parents; his brother Virgil and wives Martha and Vivian; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Carl and Erna Sorensen; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Milo Hansen, Gloria Munch, Robert and wife Betty Sorensen, Donna Sheley, and Herb Christensen.

Survivors include his wife Marilyn Munch of Exira, Iowa; his sons: Terry Munch of Glidden, Iowa, Jeff and wife Diana Munch, Mitch and wife Diane Munch, Darrin and wife Jill Munch all of Exira, Iowa; his grandchildren: Brandi Munch of West Des Moines, Iowa, Britni and husband Jesse Olson of Audubon, Iowa, Megan and husband T.J. Wiemann of Exira, Iowa, Dustin and wife Becca Munch of Dallas, Texas, and Garret Munch of West Des Moines, Iowa; his great grandchildren: Carter, Addison, and Beck Wiemann and Kodi Olson; his sister and brother: Mardell Hansen of Audubon, Iowa, Dallas and wife Nancy Munch of Exira, Iowa; his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Richard and wife Carol Sorensen of Independence, Missouri, and Marge Christensen of Hamlin, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Friday, November 10, 2017, at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. The family will meet with friends on Thursday Evening November 9, 2017, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira. Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Terry Munch, Jeff Munch, Mitchell Munch, Darrin Munch, Dustin Munch, Garret Munch, T.J. Wiemann, and Jesse Olson. Honorary casket bearers will be Diana Munch, Diane Munch, Jill Munch, Brandi Munch, Britni Olson, Megan Wiemann, Becca Munch, Carter Wiemann, Addison Wiemann, Beck Wiemann, and Kodi Olson.