Darwin F Springer

Gowrie- Darwin F. Springer, 91, passed away Monday, September 30, 2019 at Pearl Valley Rehab and Nursing, Gowrie. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, October 4, 2019 at United Methodist Church, Gowrie with Pastor Susan Rohden officiating. Burial will be in Gowrie Township Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the American Legion Peterson Post #431 of Gowrie. A visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday, October 3, 2019 at Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie. Darwin Frances Springer was born October 24, 1927, to Goldie Pearl Musson and Mark Forest Springer, on a farm two miles Southeast of Gowrie, Iowa. One year later the family moved to the Springer farm four miles Northwest of Gowrie. He attended the Roland Township Country School through 6th grade. He graduated from Prairie Community School of Gowrie in 1945. Upon graduation, Darwin was drafted and served one year in the Unites States Army in WWII during the occupation of Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1947 and went on to finish his education in Chicago, graduating in 1948 from Coyne Electrical School. On June 25, 1955, he was united in marriage to Donna Marie Lind, in Harcourt, Iowa. Darwin and Donna started farming the Springer family farm in 1960. In 1972, they bought the Gowrie Gambles hardware store. In 1982, they joined the True Value Hardware store chain and successfully owned and operated the business until their retirement in 1993. In addition to their farm and hardware businesses, Darwin was an active member of his local community. He was a Roland Township Trustee for 15 years and served on the Fire Board for Callender during which time they purchased the yellow fire truck to serve the town. Darwin and Donna were also active members of the community committees that were instrumental in establishing the first healthcare clinic in Gowrie. Darwin actively supported the Gowrie business community where he created many floats for the Gowrie 4th of July Parade. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and the American Legion Peterson Post #431. He frequently split his time during July 4thclebrations by working at the UMC chicken dinners and at the American Legion stand. Darwin is preceded in death by his parents, and infant children, Dwight Darwin Springer and Darla Kay Springer. He is survived by his wife, Donna Springer, daughters, Debra Jean (Mark) Satterfield and Denise JoAnn (Dean) Hopkins, and grandchildren, John Satterfield, Elizabeth Satterfield, and Kylie Hopkins. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family. SERVICES Funeral Services 10:30 a.m. - Friday October 4, 2019 United Methodist Church Gowrie, Iowa OFFICIATING Pastor Susan Rohden VISITATION 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. - Thursday October 3, 2019 Palmer Funeral Home Gowrie, Iowa INTERMENT Gowrie Township Cemetery Gowrie, Iowa Military Graveside Rites by Peterson Post #431