Obituary of Darrell William Achtemeier

Darrell W. Achtemeier died peacefully Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at Park Centre in Newton, Iowa. A celebration of Darrell's life will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2013, at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton. The family will greet friends following the service. Darrell was born May 6, 1928 to Elmer and Marie Achtemeier on the family farm in Northern Jasper County. He was a 1946 graduate of Newton High School. Darrell was united in marriage with Marie Snapp on September 3, 1950. He served as an instructor in the United States Air Force from 1950 through 1954. As a farmer in Jasper County, Darrell loved to work the land. His desire was to care for it and conserve it for future generations. Darrell was a hunting and fishing enthusiast and enjoyed sharing this enthusiasm with his friends. He enjoyed spending time in Minnesota during the summers. He was an avid tennis player and was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Lakers. Darrell was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served on the Session and as an elder, a trustee, and a member of the building and grounds committee. He was a past member of the First Presbyterian Men's Club, the Newton Country Club, the Elk's, the Izaak Walton League and Farm Bureau. Darrell is survived by Marie, his wife of 62 years; a son, Doug Achtemeier of Pasadena, CA; a daughter, Suzanne (Gary) Shapiro of New York, NY and a granddaughter, Lauren Achtemeier of Pasadena, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Lewis Achtemeier. Memorials may be designated to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Jasper County Animal Rescue League and left at the church or at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home.