Darrell Henle

Darrell Lee Henle passed away peacefully at home on the morning of August 6, 2022, in Wells, Minn. He was cared for there by family, while living for the past year with ALS. He was 79 years old.

Darrell was born in Murdo, S.D. on January 26, 1943, to George William Henle and Gladys Louise (McIver). He grew up with his parents, brother Denny, and sister Cheryl on their family homestead and farm south of Draper, S.D. in Zickrick Township, Jones County. He attended the nearby country school and helped his father with ranching and farming until 1962, when he moved to the Black Hills.

In 1963, Darrell married Doris (Kost) Henle McGee, and they had three children together, Steven Henle, Duane Henle, and Jennifer (Henle) Koschmann. After living in Wyoming, where he operated heavy machinery for road construction, the family moved back to Draper to help work the ranch for many years. They divorced in 1979 and both remarried. He and wife Charlotte Doering continued to live on the farm before selling it and moving to Stevensville, Mont. in in the mid 80s. Years after her passing, he remarried. He and wife Sheila Mantei were together for many years.

Darrell lived and worked in Stevensville for over 35 years, where he performed various home construction and logging work, worked as a mechanic at a local auto shop, acted as a ranch manager, and served as a volunteer fireman. He also built and provided mechanic services at his own auto shop. He was a hard worker and skilled at fixing the older models of tractors, trucks, cars, and machinery. He really cared about his customers and meeting their needs.

He had a love for nature and animals, having kept horses for years, and enjoyed the companionship of his dogs and cat. He was great at telling stories and loved being outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, and taking the boat out in his spare time. He also enjoyed racing stock cars with son Steve down in Salmon, Idaho, and the surrounding area, and sharing his racing updates with friends and family. He collected quite a few trophies over the years and enjoyed driving his purple car around the dirt track in a dash for that checkered flag.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents George and Gladys, brother Denny (Trudy) Henle, former wife Charlotte Doering, and nephew Daren Henle.

He is survived by his son Steve (Randee) Henle, son Duane Henle (Jim Stouffer), daughter Jennifer (Matt) Koschmann, stepsons Barry (Timi) and Mike Doering and their families, and sister Cheryl (Tom) Paige. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, great-grandchild, nieces and nephews, extended family, and many friends.

Darrell requested his ashes be laid to rest in Montana, a place he loved and where he lived so much of his life. A celebration of his life will be held privately with family at some time in the future. Please consider a donation in his memory to the ALS Foundation at https://www.als.org/donate, or to a charity of your choice. Memories and condolences can be shared online at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com. His strength, character, humor, and wisdom will forever live on in our hearts.