Darwin "Dar" Korthals

     Darwin “Dar” Korthals, age 70 of Rock Rapids, IA died Monday, June 19, 2017 at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA.      Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Friday, June 23rd at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Dan Haggar officiating.      Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.      Visitation will be Thursday, June 22nd from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present 5:00 to 8:00 PM at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids.      In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred and may be directed to the Korthals family. Military Honors By: Van Anne-Fields Post No. 6960, VFW and Rex Strait Post No. 103, American Legion of Rock Rapids.      Darwin “Dar” Korthals was born February 26, 1947 in Luverne, Minnesota, the son of Dick and Charlette (Smith) Korthals. He was raised on a farm near Magnolia, MN and attended Magnolia Community Schools. He graduated from high school and continued his education at Jackson Vo-Tech in Jackson, MN where he received his training to be a mechanic.      On November 14, 1967 Dar was inducted into the U.S. Army. He served his country honorably during the Vietnam War. He was discharged on November 13, 1969 and returned home to his parents’ farm. He married Edie Fransman and three sons were born, Darrin, Jason and Craig. He worked at Holcom – White Trucks as a mechanic before moving to Rock Rapids, IA, where he worked for Floyd Ver Hoef at the Ford Dealership in Rock Rapids. He worked there for over 40 years and retired in 2014.      On April 1, 2004, Dar was married to Jolene Stein at Rock Rapids. Dar was a member of the Van Anne-Fields Post No. 6960, VFW and Rex Strait Post No. 103, American Legion of Rock Rapids. He was also a member of the Lyon County Snow Lyons Snowmobile Club and he taught the Youth Snowmobile Certification Course for many years. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and cars, especially rebuilding them. Dar also enjoyed drag racing at Thunder Valley in Marion, SD and Brainard, MN when he was younger. He also worked at the Rapid Speedway from 1972 until 1991. He was proud of his sons and was very instrumental with his son’s success in motor sports. He traveled with them all over the Midwest for race events and never missed their baseball and softball games.      He will be remembered as a genuinely nice guy, who would give the shirt off his back. Where ever Dar went he always knew someone, and always had a good story to share. This past Monday, June 19, 2017 Dar died unexpectedly at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA, at the age of 70.      Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Jolene Korthals of Rock Rapids, IA; his mother, Charlotte Korthals of Hills, MN; three sons, Darrin, Jason (Amy) and Craig Korthals, all of Rock Rapids, IA; five grandchildren, Dayna, Andrea, Dalton, Breckyn and Kenley Korthals; two step-daughters, Alicia (Wayne) Jansma of Ellsworth, MN and Stephanie (Aaron) Puterbaugh of Rock Rapids, IA; seven step-grandchildren, Chase, Troy, Xoey and Layla Puterbaugh, Haley, Grace, and Karter Jansma,; two brothers, Richard (Velma) Korthals of Parker, SD and Gene Korthals of Sioux Falls, SD; three sister, Marlys Pietz of Sibley, IA, Jan Besta of Beresford, SD and Carla (Todd) Myers of Sioux Falls, SD; mother-in-law, Illene Stein of Texas; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.      He was preceded in death by his father, Dick Korthals; father-in-law, Austin Stein; two brothers-in-law, Gary Besta and Bob Pietz.