Daryl Lewis, 85, of Thief River Falls, MN died on Sunday, August 15, 2010 at Triumph Hospital in Fargo, ND.


Daryl Edwin Lewis was born on March 22, 1925 in Orr, ND the son of Warren and Vera (Moody) Lewis. Daryl attended the Little Oak School, District 65, in Hickory Township, Pennington County, MN. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith in the Little Oak School. Daryl bought his first car, a 1924 Model T Ford from Ernest Mostrom. It had no body and you had to sit on the gas tank, but that was a minor matter.

Daryl worked for various area families for brief periods, then in the Cavalier, ND area until joining the Army in 1945. He was honorably discharged as Sergeant in 1946, after serving overseas in Japan. He returned to work in North Dakota. From 1951 through 1954 he was employed by Morris Maruska near Angus, MN. Daryl was affectionately known to many of his friends as Doc .

On October 18, 1953, he was married to LuAnn Bernice Dyrdal at the Norden Church. After their marriage, the Lewises rented land in Norden Township until 1961, when they purchased 240 acres from Oswald Nora. In the winters, Daryl had his own truck and cut and hauled pulp.

Believing that experience is the best teacher, Daryl has worked in Thief River Falls as a mechanic at Tunberg Motors, Northern Chevrolet, Wedul Trucking, and as a driver for Hoglo Trucking. In 1968 he went to work at L.B. Hartz Wholesale as a diesel mechanic, reaching the status of shop foreman in 1975. Daryl retired in 1986.

LuAnn died in 1985 after a life-long struggle with complications from diabetes. Daryl continued doing mechanic work in his own shop. His shop was known to many as Docs Garage. Daryl also worked for Dyrdal Farms for a number of years. He continued to live on his farm until the end of 2008 when he moved to Thief River Falls.

He was very proud of his sons, Tim and Todd; he enjoyed his dogs, riding 4-wheeler and reading Zane Gray and Louis Lamoure westerns. He served on the Norden Township Board and was a member of the VFW Post in Thief River Falls.

Survivors include his sons, Timothy Lewis of Thief River Falls and Todd (Darsey) Lewis of Winger, MN; grandchildren, Jessica LuAnn and John Daryl; foster brothers, Martin, Harold and Elton Solseng; brothers-in-law, David (Barbara) Dyrdal and Donovan (Anna) Dyrdal; several nieces and nephews; god-children, Brandon Page and Kathryn Dyrdal Renwick; and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, LuAnn; daughter, Merrilee Beth in 1958; parents; sister, Dorothy (Harry) Thortson and their daughter, Judy Thortson.

Special Music: Rebecca Kruta Ill Fly Away , He Knows My Name , & Go Rest High On That Mountain
Congregational Hymns: How Great Thou Art & Battle Hymn Of The Republic
Casketbearers: Robert Ayers, Todd Hoglo, Greg Dyrdal, Steve Johnson, Gary Page, Tim Finseth, John Dyrdal, Jim Skoglund
Honorary Casketbearers: Martin Solseng, Donovan Dyrdal, Bill Hoglo, Dick Hoglo, Al Swenson, Leonard Waswick, Gary Hoglo, Tom Lewis and all of Daryls relatives and friends.