Darris Kompelien
CHANDLER, AZ–Darris was born on July 3, 1943, in Clarkfield, Minnesota to Orville and Glenda (Arneson) Kompelien. Darris was a lifelong member of St. Lucas Lutheran Church in rural Cottonwood, where he was baptized and confirmed. He graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1961 and then attended the Minnesota school of Business, graduating in 1963. Darris also served in the Air National Guards for six years. He worked at the Smith Farm Store for a summer, where he met his future bride, and was united in marriage to Carol Peltier on October 15, 1966.
Darris was active on several boards and committees–he served on the Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light and Power Association board for 20 years, the Farmers’ Cooperative Elevator board, and various church committees. Darris enjoyed music, including playing the baritone in high school and playing the ukulele for many years. He often sang at weddings for family and friends and sang solos in the church choir.
Darris enjoyed the outdoors, having farmed his whole life. He enjoyed their cabin on Lake Osakis and camping at Lake Minnewaska. Darris enjoyed fishing, boating and snowmobiling at the cabin, teaching his children to waterski and fish. He enjoyed golfing, having helped with the Cottonwood golf course when it was first established. He enjoyed many years of hunting in Wyoming with his close friends and went on many fishing trips to Canada and in Minnesota. He enjoyed traveling with family and friends and wintering in Arizona in his retirement years.
Following a brief illness, Darris passed away peacefully at the age of 81 on January 30, 2025, with his family by his side at the Hospice of the Valley Dobson House in Chandler, Arizona. Darris is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Kristin Dolan, Renae (Doug) Dorn and Darrin (Sara) Kompelien; grandchildren, Derek (Bailey), Brandon, Karli and Jason Dolan, Kaitlyn and Zachary Dorn, Joshua and Teagen Kompelien; brother, Verlin (Michele) Kompelien, and many nieces and nephews. Darris was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Glenyce Akre; niece, Lori Fruin; parents-in-law, Isadore and Jeanette Peltier, and sister-in-law, Pat Peltier.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 14th, 2025, from 5 to 7 PM at St. Lucas Lutheran Church, rural Cottonwood, with a prayer service beginning at 5 PM. Visitation will continue Saturday, February 15th, 2025, at 10 AM at the church followed by the memorial service at 11 AM. Interment will be in the church cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Prairie Home Hospice of Marshall, MN, or to the St. Lucas Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund in Cottonwood, MN. Arrangements are with the J.H. Lynner Funeral Home in Clarkfield www.jhlynner.com