Darrel Lee Bunge, 77, of Clear Lake, died Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at his home.
Per Darrel’s wishes, his body has been cremated, and a private graveside inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City at a later date.
Online condolences may be left for the family at http://www.colonialchapels.com.
Darrel was born on May 25, 1940, the son of Elwood and Charlene (Starr) Bunge in Clarence. He married Marcia Thurtle on May 25, 1968 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua.
A graduate of Clarence High School, Darrel attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, where he also was a pitcher on the baseball team. He later pitched in the Boston Red Sox organization before moving back to Iowa to teach school in Klemme and Wilton while also coaching all sports. After retiring from teaching he took over the family farm in Massillon, Iowa. He and Marcia moved to Clear Lake in December 1998, where he worked for Woodford Wheeler Lumber Company.
Darrel was a United States Army veteran and was stationed at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma. He enjoyed farming and all sports, especially baseball and playing golf.
Darrel is survived by his wife, Marcia Bunge of Clear Lake; three children: Michael Bunge of Mason City, Mark (Cheryl) Thada of Owatonna, Minnesota and Dawn (Steve) Dieken of Clear Lake; six grandchildren: Paige (David) DeLacy, Kylea (Patrick) Draayer, Vaughn Thada, Derek Thada, Davis Dieken and Grant Dieken; five great-grandchildren; two brothers: Terry (Carole) Bunge of Westminister, Colorado and their two children, and Ron Bunge of Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents.