Daryl Christensen, 92, of Flandreau, SD passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at Riverview Healthcare Center. Private family services will be held at a later date.

Daryl A. Christensen was born on April 7, 1932 in Newton Hills, SD to Arthur and Dora (Adair) Christensen, and passed away on May 22, 2024.

He grew up on a farm NE of Flandreau and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1950. He enlisted in the U S Navy after high school and was eventually stationed in Japan during the Korean War.  After returning home he farmed for a few years and worked for his old friend Mick Ramsdell.  In 1959 he went to work for Cengas/Minnegasco in Flandreau and eventually retired from Minnegasco in 1991.

He was united in marriage to Donna (Kringen) Christensen in 1958 and to that marriage came three children: Renee Thomas, Gary Christensen and Steve Christensen.

In 1975 he was united in marriage to Hester Oldenkamp. They spent the rest of their lives together until she passed in 2019.  They spent every summer at some lake fishing with all their fishing buddies along with hunting geese in the fall.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman but his real love was playing and pitching fastpitch softball where he pitched for Flandreau and was picked up by other teams for 40 years.   He was also a very accomplished bowler and owned the bowling alley in Flandreau for some years where he passed on his knowledge to many young bowlers going through the youth leagues.  He was a member of the Far East Bowling team while in the Navy where they traveled the world bowling in competitions.

He was a member of the VFW, American Legion and is to be inducted into Flandreau Athletic Hall of Fame in July.

He will always be remembered by his two sons Gary and Steve of Flandreau; grandkids Jerrid (Kaci) Thomas, Darin Thomas, Erin (Brett) Gomes, Payne Christensen; and one sister Carole (Thomas) Duncan, Surprise, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Dora, his wife Hester and his daughter Renee Thomas.

A private ceremony will be held for the family at a later date as requested by dad.