Darrell Lee Slechta, 77, brother of The News publisher, Ronald C. Slechta, passed away Dec. 25, 2020, at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha from complications due to a fall.
Darrell, known to many as “Slick”, was born Aug. 31, 1943, to Chester and Mabel (Peterson) Slechta in Denison, Iowa. He was baptized with his siblings at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Dow City, Iowa and confirmed Sept. 14, 1975, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison.
Darrell received his early education in four country schools in Crawford County, Deloit, Linn Grove and Zion Lutheran Parochial School in Denison. On Sept. 9, 1961, Darrell was united in marriage to Karen Rath and they were blessed with three children: Todd, Mark and Lisa.
As a late teen, Darrell started working for the Olson’s Bakery in Denison. Darrell worked construction around many western Iowa counties and he held the honor of laying the first block at the new IBP Plant in Denison which opened in 1961. In 1970 he started his own construction business called Darrell Slechta Masonry.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife: Karen; siblings: Alice, Ruby, Jerry, Brad and Phyllis.
He is survived by his two sons: Todd and Joni, and Mark and Kitty; one daughter: Lisa and Jeff; grandchildren: Darren and Krystin; Megan and Joshua; Morgan and Noe; Landon and Morgan; April and Aaron; Alisa and Joshua; Andrea and Dalton; Abby and Kirk; Devyn and Max; great-grandchildren: Jayden, Braxten, Kinnick and Baby Slechta; Jonah, Makena and Jaida; Camila; Brooklyn and Baby Lawrence; Kinnick, Kara, Hayes, Mia and Elise; Miles and Carter; siblings: Dennis and Ellie, Ronald and Helen, James and Paulette, Ann, and Mike and Dawn; in-laws, Bob and Darlene , Donna and Cindy; other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. Interment is in Crawford Heights Memory Gardens. Memorials may be directed to the family.
