Darrel L. Steien, 79

Darrel L. Steien, 79, a lifelong farmer of Lancaster, Minnesota, passed away at his home on Monday, April 29th, 2024.

Darrel was born in Hallock, Minnesota, on May 15, 1944, to Loyd and Hazel (Dahlgren) Steien. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in rural Lancaster and was a 1962 graduate of Lancaster High School. Darrel began farming with his father after completing his education and took over the family farm after his father passed away in 1966. On June 7, 1976, he was united in marriage to Nancy Scott Ricedorf of Tampico, Illinois. They settled on the farm in McKinley Township and raised their family there.

Darrel loved farming and at one time had over 200 beef cattle and over 1,000 acres where he raised small grains for many years. Work was something he enjoyed, and he continued to help area farmers even after his retirement in 2016. He was truly a “Good Neighbor” and was always there to help in any way he could. Darrel had just been honored with 50 years of Fire Warden service. He had been a former Lions Club member and continued to work as a seed distributor for several seed companies.

Darrel adored his family and grandchildren, and he could often be found sitting with one of them on his lap or visiting with them at the counter in the kitchen. He loved yearly hunting with his sons-in-law, grandsons, and wife. He enjoyed all season fishing,camping, putzing around the quonset, and working with wood. Darrel felt blessed that he was able to visit his roots by taking two trips to Norway, where he took in the sights of Sweden, Germany, and Iceland.

Darrel is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nancy; children Michelle (Farron) Hanson, North Aurora, IL, Lorie (Troy) Winger, Baxter, MN, Jeffrey (Nancy Valez) Ricedorf, North Aurora, IL and Tracy (Jason) Johnson, Karlstad; 13 grandchildren, Chelsea (Raymond) Ritter, Analise (Kyle) Skaja, Ryan Hanson, Aaden, Ashlee and Annika Winger, Brielle (Ryan) Clarkson, Jacob, Madalyne and Aubrey Ricedorf, Austin (Trisha Vagle) Walz, Trevor Johnson and Sydney Johnson; 8 great grandchildren, Reese, Adalynn, Braelynn, Colton, Zara, Aria, Dawson and Huxley; a sister, Donna (Wesley) Langaas, Karlstad, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant twin brother, Don; an infant sister, Donna; and infant brother, David.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lancaster Covenant Church. Interment will be at Riverview Memorial Garden Cemetery, Lancaster. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the service. Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock, MN.

Austin Funeral Chapel