Darvin "Darv" Lee Gast

Darvin “Darv” Lee Gast, 90, of Willmar, died Wednesday, September 30 at Bethesda Grand in Willmar. His funeral service will be 11:00 am, Monday, October 5 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar. Visitation will be 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Sunday at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with military honors will be at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar. The family would like to thank the staff at Compassionate Care and Bethesda for caring for Darv.

Darvin “Darv” Lee Gast was born June 18, 1936, to Walter and Ida (Rhoda) Gast at the family farm in Willmar. He grew up in the Willmar area and attended country school before graduating from Willmar High School in 1955. Following high school, Darv enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served until 1960.

After his military service, Darv returned to Willmar and began working on the family farm. On November 9, 1963, he was united in marriage to Donna Lalim in Maynard. Together, they were blessed with two daughters, Darla and Dawn, and made their home on Darv’s family farm.

Darv spent the majority of his career farming and milking cows. In 1990, he stopped milking and continued with grain farming for several more years. He later began working at Kandiyohi County Recycling, where he worked for more than 20 years.

Darv was a lifelong member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. He enjoyed taking a cruise around town, whether it was to grab a bite to eat or simply see what was happening around the community. He took great pride in farming and caring for the animals on the farm. Darv was always there to support his family and took pride in showing up for the people he loved. He also enjoyed going out to eat on Sundays after church. Darv enjoyed bowling and wood carving.

Darv is survived by his daughters, Darla (Joe) Hammerschmidt and Dawn (John) Friedl; grandchildren, Kaylee (Turner) Padrnos, Kourtney (Jarett) Spitzack, and Kendra (Craig) Schapekahm; great-grandchildren, Tate and Rylee Padrnos, and Madeline and Wesley Spitzack; sisters-in-law, Lavonne Gast, and Pat Monson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; his parents, Walter and Ida; and his siblings, Myrt Elsing, Elroy Gast, Wally Gast, and Marilyn Heveron.

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